The Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Declaration of Infected Local Areas) Order 2020 [P.U.(A) 87/2020] (“Infected Local Areas Order”), whereby all States and Federal Territories of Malaysia were declared as infected areas of the Covid-19 virus for the initial period 18 March 2020 to 31 March 2020, is further extended for the period 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 with the coming into force of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Declaration of Infected Local Areas) (Extension of Operation) Order 2023 [P.U.(A) 195/2023] on 1 July 2023.
 
This is the 13^th time the operation of the Infected Local Areas Order has been extended. The Infected Local Areas Order was gazetted on 17 March 2020 in light of the implementation of the country’s first movement control order on 18 March 2020 to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
 
On 29 June 2023, the Minister of Health Malaysia, Dr. Zaliha binti Mustafa, has announced several relaxations to the standard operating procedures for Covid-19 (“Covid-19 SOPs”) following the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s declaration that Covid-19 was no longer categorised as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
 
At the time of issuance of this Alert, the relaxations announced by the Minister of Health to the Covid-19 SOPs (which will come into effect on 5 July 2023) are summarised below.
 
Use of face masks
 
The use of face masks is no longer mandatory (but is still highly encouraged) on public transportation. However, the use of face masks is still mandatory for individuals who test positive for Covid-19 or who are present or attending to patients at healthcare facilities.
 
The use of face masks is highly encouraged for high-risk individuals such as senior citizens, those with low immunity and chronic diseases and expectant mothers in crowded areas or areas with poor ventilation. Further, individuals with respiratory symptoms are highly encouraged to wear face masks to avoid infecting others.
 
Quarantine period for Covid-19 positive cases
 
The quarantine period for Covid-19 positive cases has been shortened from seven days to five days from the onset of the first Covid-19 symptoms.
 
 
Alert prepared by Tan Wei Liang (Senior Associate) of Skrine.