Langkawi Islands, Malaysia Reopens to International Visitors

Beginning 15th November, Malaysia will reopen the tourist paradise of the Langkawi Islands to international visitors as part of a three-month experimental international tourism bubble initiative.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement on Friday that the government has authorized protocols enabling international tourists to enter the islands without having to go through quarantine. Among other restrictions, visitors must be “high-yield,” completely vaccinated, and remain for at least three days.

Ismail added that Malaysia will analyze the pilot initiative before replicating it in other tourist sites around the country.

As the area recovers from the global pandemic, the Southeast Asian nation is following in the footsteps of neighboring countries such as Thailand and Singapore by reducing quarantine regulations for inoculated travelers. Malaysia’s gross domestic product contracted quarterly in April-June due to tight movement restrictions during most of the year.
Malaysia’s recent rapid vaccine distribution has aided the country’s turnaround.

Terengganu and Johor will join Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in the final phase of the national recovery plan on Monday, according to Ismail.
According to him, the government has also approved laws that will allow migrant workers to re-enter Malaysia on a case-by-case basis.

Malaysia lifted a months-long restriction on interstate travel last week after achieving its goal of vaccinating 90% of the adult population. Citizens were also permitted to go abroad without previous authorization from the government.

Finance Minister Zafrul Abdul Aziz stated last week that the government hopes to fully reopen the domestic economy by the end of 2021 and return to pre-pandemic growth the following year.