KUALA LUMPUR: All foreigners travelling to Malaysia must purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$20,000 to account for their Covid-19 medical expenses, if any.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this regulation applied to all foreigners entering Malaysia using short-term social visit passes, irrespective of their vaccination status.
"Previously, the ministry announced a general protocol that must be abided by all travellers entering Malaysia, in line with the reopening of Malaysia's borders on April 1.
"One of the protocols is the need for all travellers to declare via MySejahtera that they have an insurance protection policy that covers for travel and Covid-19, before departure.
"The insurance protection, among others, will cover the quarantine, treatment and hospital admission costs, in the event that they get infected with Covid-19 during their stay in Malaysia," he said in a statement today.
However, Khairy said fully-vaccinated Singaporean citizens as well as permanent residents and long-term pass holders of Malaysia and Singapore are be exempted from the travel insurance requirement.
"This exemption is applicable to travellers who enter Malaysia through Singapore via air, land or sea," he added.
On March 24, Malaysia and Singapore agreed to allow fully-vaccinated travellers to cross land borders without having to undergo mandatory quarantine or take Covid-19 tests.
Khairy also reminded Malaysians to continue wearing face masks, keeping their hands sanitised and avoiding mass gatherings or places with poor ventilation, as the country begins its transition to endemic phase this Friday.