Malaysia has been closed to tourists for much of the pandemic due to strict lockdowns, but can travellers visit the destination now? Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Malaysia open to tourists?
The destination partially reopened its borders to foreign tourists in mid-November 2021, allowing vaccinated visitors to travel to the island of Langkawi without having to quarantine. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement that visitors must be fully vaccinated, and stay in Langkawi for at least seven days before travelling to other parts of Malaysia. So entry to anywhere else in Malaysia, outside Langkawi, has been prohibited for British nationals.
Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, is not currently allowing travellers to fly straight in; however, the whole destination will finally open to fully vaccinated international travellers from Friday 1 April 2022. Travellers must present a negative PCR result from a test taken no more than two days before departure, plus take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arriving in Malaysia.
They must also complete a pre-departure travel form – but will no longer be required to apply for a MyTravelPass permit.
Which vaccines are accepted for travel to Malaysia?
When travel resumes as normal, the destination will likely accept most vaccines, including those being administered in the UK. However, 14 days must have passed since the second dose of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines; or 28 days after one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
Which Covid tests do I need when I return to the UK?
Travellers returning to the UK will not need to follow any rules From Friday 18 March 2022, regardless of vaccination status. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on 14 March that all remaining UK Covid travel rules would end from 4am GMT on Friday 18 March, including testing, quarantining and filling in passenger locator forms.