COVID-related Restrictions, Protocols & Regulations in Malaysia

Last Updated: 30 April 2021

 

Background

• Malaysia started implementing Movement Control Order (MCO) from 18 March 2020, which restricted inter-district as well as inter-state travel and business operating hours. Specific Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) have also been implemented for specific sectors (e.g. restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.) and activities (e.g. sport activities, religious activities, etc).
• Since then, lifting and re-implementation of restrictions have been announced for different states of and specific districts in Malaysia, in response to increasing or descreasing COVID-19 infections.
• Different forms of Movement Control Order (MCO) were implemented since Mar 2020:
  - Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) - Slightly more relaxed restrictions compared to MCO
  - Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) - Most relaxed restrictions where new cases are low
  - Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) - Strict restrictions where many active COVID-19 cases were detected in specific district or location
• As the Malaysian Government publishes all communications in Malay. It is important to know the different terminology when navigating through their government website:
  - Movement Control Order (MCO) is "Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP)"
  - Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is "Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB)"
  - Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) is "Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan (PKPP)"
  - Enhanced Movemenet Control Order (EMCO) is "Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Diperketatkan (PKPD)"

How do I know which state is under what form of MCO?

• For the latest changes, please refer to the offical government source at https://www.mkn.gov.my/web/ms/covid-19/ (in Malay only)

Tip: Use Google Translate to translate Malay to your preferred language

What are the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) currently in place?

• For the latest SOPs, please refer to the official government source at https://www.mkn.gov.my/web/ms/sop-pkp-pemulihan/ (in Malay only)
• SOPs for Movement Control Order (MCO) (PKP)
• SOPs for States under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) (PKPB)
• SOPs for States under Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) (PKPP)
• SOPs for specific areas under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) (PKPD)

Tip: Use Google Translate to translate Malay to your preferred language

Useful Information

1. Info: How to apply for Police Permit to travel interstate within Malaysia?
2. Info: How to apply for Special Pass if my Social Visit Pass expired?
3. Info: Where to take a COVID PCR Test and how much?

Other Informative Links:

1. SmartTraveller.gov.au - Australian Government's Travel Advisory on Malaysia
2. Travel.State.Gov - US Government's Travel Advisory on Malaysia
3. US Embassy's COVID-related Information on Malaysia
4. US Embassy's Alerts
5. Australian High Commission's COVID-related Information on Malaysia

Related Info:

• What can I do to protect myself and my family against COVID-19?