Here’s What You Need To Know About The Latest Relaxed SOPs, Starting May 1st!

By Lara Kramer  •  28 Apr 2022 in News

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In a statement yesterday, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced the long-anticipated SOP relaxations for Malaysians. On Twitter, he urged the public to remain cautious despite the update.

The country is still in the midst of transitioning to the endemic phase.

The new SOPs cover new allowances for unvaccinated individuals, quarantine periods, the face mask mandate, scanning on MySejahtera, travel restrictions and even the opening of nightclubs later in the month.

Let’s get into it.

Wearing face masks is no longer mandatory outdoors

Towards the end of March, the Singapore government dropped the country’s mask mandate- outdoors, at least!

Netizens believe that KJ had taken ‘inspiration’ from the new ruling, as he announced the same directive just a month later.

While it’s no longer a legal obligation to be masked outdoors, he stated that he still encourages the society to wear them as a precautionary measure when visiting crowded places such as bazaars. He said the same for high-risk individuals.

Wearing a mask is still required on public transport and e-hailing rides.

While social distancing is not part of the new order as well, he encourages the people to maintain a safe distance when unmasked, and wash or sanitise their hands shall they come in contact with another person.

Unvaccinated individuals allowed to leave their houses

At one point, it seemed like those who opted out of vaccination, or were simply unfit to receive their shots, were doomed to a life of house arrest.

That’s no longer the case, as those unvaccinated will now be allowed to enter premises so long as they have not been deemed high risk individuals, or are currently meant to be under HSO (home quarantine).

Malaysia achieved herd immunity last September. Currently, 82.2% of the population is fully vaccinated.

No more checking in on MySejahtera

Do you find the process of standing in a line, waiting to scan the QR code when you’re in a rush pretty tedious? Well, we have good news for you.

Checking in on the app will no longer be required. That doesn’t mean you can delete it, though!

Other features will still be very much utilised. While your vaccination status may no longer matter as much, you’ll still need the app to display that you are undergoing HSO, or fall below the high risk category, as mentioned before.

Speaking of quarantine…

Your quarantine period may end on the 4th day if you test negative

Previously, individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 were required to undergo a 7-day quarantine.

Now, under Test and Release, patients can choose to take a RTK-Antigen test on the 4th day itself, and be released if they test negative.

The test is professionally administered and supervised.

Loosened travel restrictions

As for those keen on vacationing after nearly three years, a few travel bans have been lifted with certain conditions.

Firstly, travellers aged 12 and below will not be required Covid-19 tests upon arrival, vaccinated or otherwise, whereas fully vaccinated travellers aged 13 and above, as well as those who have contracted Covid-19 in the past 60 days will be allowed into the country- no Covid tests needed.

Additionally, foreigners do not need Covid-19 insurance to enter the country anymore.

However, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons will need to undergo a test within 24 hours, before and after their arrival.

Nightclubs will be allowed to operate (conditionally) from May 15!

Though the exact SOPs for nightclubs have yet to be released, netizens rejoiced upon hearing that they may finally be able to get their groove on once again.

In KJ’s statement, he said that the National Security Council’s list of banned activities will be voided starting May 15, allowing all economic sectors to resume operations.

Remember to stay safe, sanitised and positive (emotionally) while we head towards a pre-Covid world!