​Everything You Need to Know About the Malaysia Lockdown

(Photo Credit: Kinsei-TGS / iStock /)

To curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Malaysian government has imposed a “restricted movement order”. Here’s everything you need to know about the Malaysia lockdown.

Update: The Malaysia Movement Control Order (MCO) Will Be Extended Until 14 April 2020

Announced on 16 March 2020, the lockdown will bar citizens from going overseas and foreigners from entering the country for two weeks, from 18 to 31 March 2020.

Malaysian citizens who return from overseas will also have to undergo a mandatory health check and go on a 14-day self-quarantine.

For Singaporeans in Malaysia, the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has put together a series of frequently asked questions about the travel restriction.

1) A Movement Control Order (MCO) will be imposed by the Malaysian government from 18 to 31 March 2020. Will Singaporeans currently in Malaysia be allowed to leave the country during the MCO period?

Yes, Singaporeans in Malaysia will be allowed to leave during the MCO period. There is no immediate need to leave Malaysia before the 18 March implementation of the MCO.

However, Singaporeans should be prepared for significant travel inconveniences due to the travel restrictions; and will not be allowed to re-enter M’sia during the MCO period.

2) Are there any additional restrictions in place for Singaporeans to leave Malaysia during the MCO period?

Based on the current available information, there are no additional restrictions in place.

3) Will airports and land checkpoints remain open during the MCO period?

Based on the current available information, airports and land checkpoints will continue to operate during the MCO period.

4) Will there be flights operating out of Malaysia during the MCO period?

Based on the current available information, various airlines are still operating flights out of Malaysia. Please check directly with the respective airlines for any flight changes/cancellations.

5) Will Singaporeans returning from Malaysia be subjected to the 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN)?

As of now, Singaporeans travelling into Singapore from Malaysia via sea or land crossings will not be placed on the 14-day SHN upon entry to Singapore. However, this does not apply to entry into Singapore via air.

6) Do Singaporeans/Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) and/or Singapore Long Term Pass holders in Malaysia need to obtain prior health clearance approval from Singapore’s Ministry of Health before entering Singapore?

Singaporeans, PRs and/or Long-Term Pass holders in Malaysia are not required to submit health information to Singapore’s Ministry of Health and obtain the Ministry’s approval before entering Singapore.

7) Will Singaporeans/Singapore PRs and/or Singapore Long Term Pass holders returning from Malaysia be subjected to the 14-day SHN?

As of now, Singaporeans and Singapore PRs and/or Singapore Long Term Pass holders with Malaysian citizenship travelling into Singapore from Malaysia via sea or land crossings will not be placed on the 14-day SHN upon entry to Singapore.

However, this does not apply to entry into Singapore via air.

Other foreign nationals entering Singapore from Malaysia via sea/land/air will be issued with a 14-day SHN upon entry to Singapore.

8) Will Malaysians with Singapore PR status be allowed to leave Malaysia during the MCO period?

Malaysians will not be allowed to leave Malaysia during the MCO period.

9) Are Singaporeans allowed to enter Malaysia during the MCO period?

All foreigners who are not employed under “essential services” will not be allowed from entering Malaysia during the MCO period.

This includes Singaporeans with Malaysian PR status. Those employed under “essential services” must obtain a verification letter from their employers and must present it to the Malaysian Immigration Department at the point of entry.

For other enquiries or concerns, Singaporeans in Malaysia may contact the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur at +60-3-2161-6277 or +60-16-661-0400 (after hours), or via email at [email protected].

Alternatively, they may also contact the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Johor Bahru at +60-7-226-5012 or +60-19-791-1166 (after hours), or via email at [email protected].

Aftermath of the Malaysia Lockdown

(Photo Credit: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

According to reports from the Motorist Community Telegram group and other news sources, traffic came to a crawl for hours last night. Due to the massive jam, many people resorted to walking across the Causeway to enter Singapore.

The jam eventually cleared this morning, as only a few vehicles could be seen travelling across the Causeway - these were most probably heavy-duty vehicles.

For those unaware, the flow of goods, food supplies and other cargo will continue between Singapore and Malaysia during the lockdown period.

The Singapore government has also issued several statements reminding Singaporeans to remind calm and avoiding hoarding groceries and provisions.

According to Channel News Asia, Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said Singapore has more than “three months' worth of carbohydrates like rice and noodles, and more than two months' worth of stockpiles for proteins and vegetables”.

For local companies affected by the Malaysia lockdown, they will receive an allowance of $50 per worker per night for two weeks to cover any additional costs incurred from finding suitable accommodation.

As of 12pm today, 18 March 2020, there are 23 new cases of the COVID-19 virus in Singapore, 17 of which are important, 2 are linked to previous cases, and 4 are currently unlinked.

Singaporeans are reminded to defer non-essential travel, as majority of new cases are Singaporeans and residents who were injected while travelling overseas.

Those who return to Singapore may be placed in quarantine or on Stay Home Notice (SHN), which may affect family, work, or study responsibilities.

Lastly, if you are put on SHN due to non-essential travel, you will be required to use your own leave to serve it.

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