COVID-19 Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur (April 12, 2020)
Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Please share this information with other U.S. citizens who may not be registered for these alerts.
International commercial flight options currently exist in Malaysia. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Malaysia at this time.
On April 10, the Prime Minister announced that the Movement Control Order has been extended through April 28.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: U.S. citizens and Foreign Nationals traveling to the United States who wish to depart Malaysia during the Movement Control Order MUST have a letter from the U.S. Embassy.
Action Needed to Depart Malaysia Under the MCO:
Foreign citizens, including U.S. citizens, may depart Malaysia during the MCO. However, the Malaysian authorities require that foreign citizens obtain all of the following documents prior to departure and bring them to the airport:
Valid travel documents including passport and airline ticket;
Written concurrence from your respective Diplomatic Mission (see below); and
Written movement permit from the nearest Police Station (IF REQUIRED, see guidance below):
Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Klang Valley: DO NOT NEED the written movement permit from the nearest police station.
Outside of Klang Valley and traveling interstate to the airport by land (car, bus, train, etc.) MUST OBTAIN the written movement permit from the nearest police station.
Outside of Klang Valley and traveling to KLIA by air DO NOT NEED to the written movement permit from the nearest police station.
Any questions regarding the written movement permit should be directed to your nearest police station.
Travel Letter from the U.S. Embassy
The U.S. Embassy can provide a travel letter by email to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals traveling to the United States who plan to depart Malaysia during the MCO to satisfy the second requirement above. To request a travel letter, please provide the following information to KLACS@State.gov:
Name, date of birth and passport number of each U.S. citizen departing Malaysia;
Flight number, date and time; and
If applicable, any special circumstances (for example, any domestic travel necessary to reach Kuala Lumpur; the names of any non-U.S. citizens traveling with you)
The Malaysian government extended the Movement Control Order (MCO) through April 28, though this end date may be extended again at the discretion of the Malaysian government. All foreign nationals, with very limited exceptions, are restricted from entry to Malaysia during this time. Foreign nationals may transit through the international terminals of Malaysian airports but may not pass through Immigration. The MCO prohibits all individuals – Malaysian citizens and foreign nationals – from movement and mass assembly within Malaysia. Under the MCO, only one person from each family is permitted to leave home to buy essential items. Outdoor recreational activities such as jogging or walking are prohibited. U.S. citizens are subject to local laws and regulations while visiting or living in Malaysia.
Malaysia COVID-19 Information
Malaysia has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country. For more information regarding COVID-statistics in Malaysia, please review the Malaysian Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Portaland visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19.
Commercial Flight Availability and Travel Restrictions
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
Very limited commercial flights remain an option for U.S. citizens wishing to depart Malaysia. Many airlines have cancelled international flights and several transit countries have set up new quarantine restrictions or have barred international transit altogether. The Embassy is aware of commercial flights from Kuala Lumpur to the U.S. through Tokyo, Doha, and London. Please note that flight schedules are likely to change with little advance notice and commercial flight options will likely become increasingly limited over the coming days.
Please see below for outbound flights from Kuala Lumpur to major transit hubs with onward flights to U.S. cities.
Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo via All Nippon Airways flies on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo via Japan Airlines flies on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. First available flight is April 16.
Kuala Lumpur to London via Malaysia Airlines flies on Mondays and Fridays.
Kuala Lumpur to Doha via Qatar Airways flies daily.
The U.S. Embassy is unable to book airline tickets on your behalf. Please continue to reach out to airlines and utilize commercial websites to book or change your tickets while these flights are an option. We encourage you to look at all flight options flying into the United States, regardless of whether the flight is going to your final destination; it may be necessary to book a second ticket onward. We will post any alerts and updates on the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia on our Embassy's webpage on COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 – Avoid Non-Essential Travel– Notice for Malaysia. The State Department has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.
Countries around the world are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Any U.S. citizen returning home should be prepared for additional travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Travelers should closely monitor the situation in Malaysia and other transit countries before travel.
Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
Review and follow the CDC's guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
Visit our Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security's website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Visit keeping workplaces, homes, schools, or commercial establishments safe.
e-mail: KLACS@state.gov
Website: https://my.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
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