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Malaysia has become another Southeast Asian nation to reopen its borders to international travelers next month.
The nation closed its borders to all international visitors following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, a rapid vaccination rate and a determination to restart the economy are prompting a November 15 reopening.
The Malaysian government has approved protocols to allow tourists to enter the popular island destination of Langkawi from November 15th.
The scheme will be similar to Thailand’s sandbox schemes, whereby the rest of the nation remains closed, but the islands remain open for vaccinated tourists.
The project will run for three months before the nation fully reopens to international visitors in early 2022.
Malaysia Tourism Minister Nancy Shukri said, “We have proposed to open the borders for international tourists to Langkawi as a pilot for tourists from 10 countries [including] some ASEAN countries and a few others.”
“Personally, I target to have it by the middle of next month because we have to give the stakeholders like airlines and hotels enough time to be ready,”
The Entry Requirements
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement that travelers must be fully vaccinated, “high yield,” and stay for a minimum of three days.
The Prime Minister said his reopening plan is modeled on neighboring Southeast Asian nations, including Singapore and Thailand.
Malaysia will allow travelers from certain nations to arrive, and they will announce this list soon.
Travelers will also need to take COVID-19 tests before arriving in Malaysia and COVID-19 tests during their stay (despite being fully vaccinated.)
Travelers will also need at least $80,000 of insurance coverage for COVID-19, and tourists must engage with a local tour guide.
However, there will be no quarantine for international tourists if they meet these requirements.
The Tourism Minister said, “I have had consultations with my officers stationed abroad, and their general sentiment was to avoid quarantine.
“Our ultimate goal is to keep Malaysians and the tourists safe, so we don't want to spoil their holiday by asking them to be confined in hotel rooms. But at the same time, regular testing would be key.”
Travelers will also need at least $80,000 of insurance coverage for COVID-19, and tourists must engage with a local tour guide.
Malaysia will also begin reopening its borders to foreign workers, but foreign workers will need to be fully vaccinated and have evidence of negative COVID-19 tests.
The COVID-19 Situation In Malaysia
The news comes as cases in Malaysia rapidly fall nationwide. Around 94 percent of adults have received their first vaccination dose, and 72 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.
Daily infections have dropped below 7,000 cases per day from a peak of 20,000 cases per day in August. Malaysia has recorded 2.41 million cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Southeast Asia’s Reopening
The world has been waiting for Southeast Asia to reopen its wonderful beaches, incredible food, and rich culture since the pandemic started. But borders have remained shut throughout the region.
Thailand reopened to international visitors earlier this year, but the Sandbox scheme was confusing and didn’t attract many international visitors due to strict entry requirements.
Thailand is now moving ahead to a full reopening and has dropped quarantine on arrival for travelers from over 40 nations.
What’s more, Vietnam has decided to reopen its borders to international visitors by the end of the year. Singapore opened to fully vaccinated British, Canadian, and American tourists on October 19th.
And Bali finally reopened after 18 months of closure to Western visitors earlier this month.
Southeast Asia has been the most restricted part of the world since the pandemic began, but finally, the region is opening up to the world.
Read More:
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Dominican Republic To Remain Open For Tourism With No Testing Or Vaccination Requirement
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Aylin
Monday 25th of October 2021
The worst system.of tourism.I ever imagine ! Is a shame for Malaysia to ask all these nonsense requirements ! You only need money from.peoples, but that's no holiday for them !
Zak
Monday 25th of October 2021
It comes a time where we have to live with Covid as part of our lives... since we've been through 2 years of covid the countries that still have they international borders closed are only making it worst for people that's barely making it with income and business.. really wish for everything to be normal While taking precautions of living with covid before the economy falls dangerously due to lack of funds
Adam
Sunday 24th of October 2021
I'm not sure if I'd say SouthEast Asia has reopened. Not only you need to be vaccinated, but you also need a negative PCR test before the flight and another one after arrival. I guess it should be either PCR testing, OR, vaccination. Requiring two tests for vaccinated people sounds like admitting vaccines do not work?
Michael Boomerang
Monday 25th of October 2021
@Adam, U fail to understand that vaccines are not a cure. It prevents you from developing extreme cases of hospitalization. Even if you are vaccinated you can still be carrying the Covid19 virus. Please read up and be more informed before making uninformed remarks.
That is why it is essential to be tested with PCR before and after you arrive your destination. Eliminating the Quarantine hassle is already a positive initiative
S.B.
Saturday 23rd of October 2021
This sounds like a nightmare! Absolutely no! I want to visit Malaysia greatly. This is a tour based in fear, for vaccinated people like myself, to "protect" Malaysians from me -- despite being triple vaccinated with mRNA vaccine and masked and from a low-COVID area. Why on Earth would they be afraid of me? Well, since they are, and since they have all of these stupid rules and regulations, and since they want me to have a tour guide at all times (no thanks, ever! Other than for day trips, and I choose), then I will not only not go to Malaysia now, but in the future when this is all ten years behind us, I will remember how Malaysia treated me: as a walking virus to be feared and controlled.
And I will subsequently NEVER visit Malaysia because of this. Ever.
It's my money, and I can simply go somewhere so much more relaxed, and I will. I hope Malaysia does not think their scheme sounds appealing because it sounds dystopian. It's a shame they are so paranoid that they cannot see this, but whatever. The world is fascinating and beautiful and free. Malaysia has made a grave mistake, like so many other SEAsean countries.
Dan R
Tuesday 26th of October 2021
@S.B., I SO agree with you.
Mercy Talde
Saturday 23rd of October 2021
When the Philippines open their the borders for foreign tourist? Since the neighboring countries does, it seems the government are very slow to implement and live with the covid situations.