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Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that travellers must be both fully vaccinated and have recently been infected with COVID-19 to be exempted from quarantine.
In a statement on Wednesday, 12 January, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said travellers will need to show proof that they are fully vaccinated and have evidence that they had been infected with the coronavirus 11 to 60 days before arriving in the country.
They must have either printed or digital laboratory reports that prove they were infected within that period.
Khairy added that those who had been hospitalised for COVID-19 will also need to present a Fit to Travel letter from the health facility where they received treatment.
All related documents should be brought along to show to flight and health authorities when requested, the statement added.
However, all travellers — regardless of vaccination status or COVID-19 history — must be screened for the virus using RT-PCR test.
Those who test positive will not be allowed to enter Malaysia.
Khairy said this new ruling was based on scientific evidence and the experience of other countries in their management of travellers who had been infected.
As for those who have not completed their vaccination, they will need to undergo mandatory quarantine for seven days at designated centres.