If you’ve been wondering what are the latest travel requirements, entry and Malaysia quarantine guidelines for people travelling into Malaysia during this season of COVID-19, read on to find out more.
Many countries around the globe, including Malaysia, have been ramping up their public health measures, vaccination and testing in their battle against COVID-19. While governments around the world have continued to impose tighter restrictions on movement to combat the spread of the disease, it’s still possible to travel in and out of Malaysia but with limited exceptions. Nevertheless, travellers are urged to plan their travel carefully as there are risks.
As Malaysia quarantine rules might change from time to time, it is advisable for travellers to check on their eligibility to enter Malaysia through the Immigration Department’s MyTravelPass system, and find out what approvals are required. All travellers would need to comply with the latest COVID-19 Malaysia quarantine guidelines and possibly undergo quarantine at hotels in Malaysia.
What are the latest entry and Malaysia quarantine guidelines for arriving travellers?
Based on the latest Malaysia quarantine requirements, it is mandatory for all travellers arriving from overseas to undergo COVID-19 swab tests and be quarantined for a 14-day period. In accordance with the Malaysian government SOP, travellers would have to undergo a COVID-19 test on day 10 of quarantine. This requirement applies to both Malaysian citizens and foreigners.
For eligible travellers arriving to Malaysia from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, they will be required to quarantine for 21 days at the assigned quarantine location. On day 18 of quarantine, they would have to take a COVID-19 swab test.
All costs incurred such as the COVID-19 swab tests, quarantine cost, meals, transportation fees, and hospital admittance fee (if required) will be borne by the travellers at their own expense.
Can you choose your quarantine hotel in Malaysia?
As travellers would need to be quarantined for 14 days, it is important to consider what would be the chosen accommodation type. There are two types of quarantine accommodations available for Malaysia quarantine: basic package and premium package (also known as a luxury package).
If travellers opt for the basic package, the hotel arrangement will be under the arrangement of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), and will depend on room availability. On the other hand, travellers who opt for the premium package would have their room and hotel guaranteed, per their choice.
While travellers can choose their preferred type of accommodation, it’s important to note that their premium hotel choices are limited to partner hotels approved by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health. You can head over to the NADMA’s website for the Malaysia quarantine premium hotel list to get to know what hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are available for booking.
What should you look for in your Malaysia quarantine accommodation?
Before you start looking at the list of hotels used for Malaysia quarantine, here are a few things to take note of if you wish to undergo mandatory quarantine requirements in more pleasant and comfortable settings:
Food: Find out if the portion is sufficient for your usual food intake, and if the food suits your diet. This is especially important for those with food allergies, as you might find yourself having to worry about your meals during quarantine. If you prefer to order your own food through food delivery, find out if the hotel allows it, as some hotel managements do impose strict restrictions as a precautionary measure.
Space: For those who are already planning to maintain an active lifestyle, make sure that the room is spacious enough for you (and your family if you are going to quarantine together) to move about and do some simple physical exercises.
Technological equipment: A stable and good WiFi connection would be essential these days, especially if you’re relying on it for work or to stay connected with the rest of the world. Hotels that offer good WiFi are a huge plus, and extra points would be given for those that have great entertainment amenities such as big-screen TVs with satellite and cable television, or on-demand movies.
Rooms with windows or balconies: Nobody likes the feeling of being trapped in a room, so choosing a room with windows or balconies, especially ones with a view or scenery, would definitely keep your mind at ease. This would be great for those who would like to enjoy fresh air and have separate personal spaces to break up the day.
How to book and pay for your premium quarantine hotel in Malaysia?
Booking and paying for your Malaysia quarantine hotel should be a fairly straightforward process, but here is one crucial tip — make your premium hotel booking in advance with the hotel of your choice. It’s best to book ahead as there may be limited or no room availability.
Reservations must be made ahead for those opting for the premium hotel package, and proof of reservation must be presented upon arrival at the international entry point such as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
If you would like to do away with the hassles and worries of booking a premium hotel and making the other arrangements such as transportation, you can always check out the Holiday Tours Premium Package as our COVID-19 Malaysia Quarantine Services will cover you from the COVID-19 screening test up to getting you to your preferred hotel safely.
How to make the best out of your quarantine stay in the hotel?
Spending your days locked up in a hotel room during quarantine can be a daunting experience, especially when you’re alone. Here are some tips on how to make your COVID-19 isolation easier:
- Consider bringing small items that could make your stay more comfortable, regardless of the hotel’s infrastructure.
- This is the best chance to indulge in books, games or movies that you’ve been interested in but had no chance to previously.
- Plan ahead and schedule activities or attend online classes to keep yourself active and occupied.
- Talk to your family or friends when you feel lonely.
Full list of Malaysia quarantine hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
Now that you’ve gotten a better idea of what to expect ahead of your entry into Malaysia, you can easily use our services to book your preferred premium hotel for Malaysia quarantine. Currently, there are only premium hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor: (Note: The list is accurate at the time of writing.)
1. Impiana Hotel KLCC, Kuala Lumpur. The 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, in the Bukit Bintang area.
2. Grand Millennium, Kuala Lumpur. A 5-star hotel located in Bukit Bintang.
3. Movenpick, KLIA. Located in Sepang, the 4-star hotel is only 10 minutes away from KLIA.
4. Sama-Sama Hotels, KLIA. The 5-star hotel is linked to KLIA via a sky bridge.
5. Hotel Royal, Kuala Lumpur. A 4-star hotel for those who are looking to stay in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle.
6. Swiss Garden, Kuala Lumpur. A 4-star hotel strategically located between Bukit Bintang and Chinatown.
7. Hilton, Petaling Jaya. The 5-star hotel is located centrally in PJ, away from the KL city centre.
8. Hotel Crystal Crown, Petaling Jaya. A 4-star hotel located centrally in PJ.
9. Marriott, Putrajaya. The 5-star hotel is located at IOI Resort City.
10. Dorsett Grand Subang, Subang Jaya. The 5-star hotel is near the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, formerly known as the Subang airport.
11. Sunway Clio, Petaling Jaya. A 4-star hotel which is a part of the cluster of hotels in Sunway City, PJ.
12. ibis Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. A fairly new 4-star hotel located near the KLCC.
13. Hilton Garden Inn, Puchong. A 4-star hotel in Puchong, one of the townships in Klang Valley that’s growing rapidly.
With the pandemic far from over, all of us have to play our part to practise good habits to prevent and reduce transmission. Take precautions such as wearing a mask, cleaning hands frequently, and keeping a safe distance. If you’re thinking of travelling, assess the risks involved and think about the need. Finally, if you decide to travel, do it safely by following the public health guidelines.
*Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate at the time of writing (30 July 2021). Any changes or amendments to this information are subject to the latest announcements by the government.