KUALA LUMPUR: Diplomatic missions, including from the United States (US) and France, have ceased issuing visas, while India has prohibited Malaysians from traveling to the subcontinent.
This follows Malaysia's restricted movement order (RMO) issued last night to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Embassies had also taken a more limited cautious operational move, including shortening working hours and asking their citizens to follow rules and regulations issued by local authorities, as Malaysia suffered its first two fatalities due to Covid-19 today.
A US embassy spokesman said the diplomatic mission had cancelled all immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments from March 17 onwards.
"We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. We are open to provide services on an emergency basis.
"Please visit https://ustraveldocs.com/my/ and https://my.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/ for further information," he said.
As for American travellers here, he urged them to register with the Embassy at step.state.gov, a program that will help them make informed decisions about their travel plans and during emergencies.
As for the French embassy, its website stated that they will not be able to welcome visitors during the RMO period between March 18 and March 31, but one can contact the embassy via email or telephone.
It also informed that the Visa Services at the embassy would be closed from March 17 to March 31. However, if necessary, they can be contacted via email at info-crise.kuala-lumpur-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr.
An official with the Indian High Commission referred the New Straits Times to the South Asian nation’s latest travel advisory for Covid-19 which barred travel of passengers from Malaysia, Afghanistan and Philippines to India with immediate effect.
"No flight shall take off from these countries to India after 1500 hours Indian Standard Time (IST). The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure. This instruction is a temporary measure and shall be in force till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently," it said.
In another statement, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Charles Hay, said its diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur remains operational during the period of restricted movement but “understandably it will not be business as usual”.
This as they had started remote working arrangement for members of their staff in order to observe the movement restriction.
“Our priority is to make sure that British nationals in Malaysia are given the necessary consular support during this time. British nationals who require consular services can contact us at +603-21702200 . We will be updating our Travel Advice (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malaysia) as well as our social media channels (@UKinMalaysia).”
For the Pakistan High Commission, a senior officer said they would shift some services like visa to online platform while passport services and emergency travel documents would be available over the counter but restricted to emergency cases.
"We are advising our community to exercise caution and social distancing as well avoid unnecessary travel including to the high commission until restriction is lifted," he said.
The Chinese embassy meanwhile said it would operate as usual when asked on any expected impact stemming from the restricted movement order.
“Any additional advisory to Chinese nationals (in Malaysia) will be issued by the Consular Department,” a spokesman said.
As for the Thai embassy, an official said it had shortened their working hours.
He also said the embassy was seeking clarification from Wisma Putra on certain matters, particularly the status of Thais working in Malaysia.
A Taipei Economic & Cultural Office official said their office is running as usual.
“At this moment, we hope all Taiwan nationals pay attention to related announcement from the Malaysian government and follow due regulations,” the official said.
The embassy of Iran said it would inform their nationals through its website and social media regarding the latest restrictions imposed by Malaysia.
“Iranians here who are mainly students would have to follow their universities’ regulations. They must observe the rules in relation to local guidelines,” said an official.
A senior officer of the Colombian embassy said they were observing all instructions given by the local authorities and by their government on Covid-19.
“We are attending to local Colombian community via our virtual channels of communication that we have in place,” he said, saying that the Colombian community expressed total understanding about the situation.