On 15 November 2021, the Malaysian island of Langkawi officially reopened its borders to international tourists, marking the start of a nationwide tourism revival that’s expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Tourists returning to Langkawi can now enjoy their stay on the island without the need for quarantine, although some mandatory screening and testing is required. The minimum period of stay is three days. Those who stay for a week or more will then be permitted to travel to other areas in Malaysia.
In order to enter Langkawi, visitors must present a printed/digital RT-PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure to Malaysia. They must also download and register the MySejahtera contact tracing app before departure, and arrange medical insurance cover worth at least US$80,000.
Whether travelling direct to Langkawi or via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), tourists will be processed via a designated Screening Area. Here they will need to present their passport, tickets and a complete itinerary provided by their DMC, along with their vaccination certificate and a health declaration form from the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM). Once these documents have been checked, they will be free to enter Langkawi.
Independent travel is not yet permitted – all visitors to Malaysia must use the services of a tour operator or DMC registered with the Malaysian Tourism Ministry (such as Panorama Destination). They must be accompanied by local guide during transfers and tours. Any travellers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians.
If, in the second week of stay, they wish to travel onwards from Langkawi to other parts of Malaysia, they must pass another RT-PCR test on day seven. For international flights, travellers must take an RT-PCT Test no more than 72 hours before departure.
Although various regulations have been put in place to ensure that Malaysia’s tourism revival is safe and secure, these restrictions should be no more than a formality for returning travellers. Following the initial pilot project in Langkawi, other destinations are expected to resume international tourism operations in the weeks ahead, with the full reopening of Malaysian borders expected by 1 January 2022.
