KUALA LUMPUR: There is no quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated Malaysian travellers entering India effective yesterday while Thailand is set to open its common borders in March.
The Indian High Commission in Malaysia said the pre-flight Covid-19 RT-PCR test is also not mandatory for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in India from Malaysia.
“With the world’s largest vaccination drive – led by India’s Aatmanirbhar vaccine leadership – and Covid-19 protocols in place, India has relaxed travel restrictions for travellers coming to India from Malaysia,” Bernama quoted the High Commission’s Facebook post.
While there is no formal mutual recognition of Covid-19 certification signed between Malaysia and India, both governments recognise the vaccination certificates in practice and on the ground.
On Nov 15, India reopened for tourism for the first time since the pandemic where arrivals from all countries were allowed with some restrictions depending on where travellers come from.
According to an article published on CNN Travel, those vaccinated with WHO-recognised vaccines or in countries which have agreements of mutual recognition of vaccine certificates with India do not have to present a test on arrival effective yesterday.
The article said that from yesterday, no arrivals would need to quarantine.
Instead, international passengers would be requested to “self-monitor their health” for 14 days following their arrival.
All passengers are advised to check the updated travel guidelines at https://mohfw.gov.in before travelling.
Thailand, meanwhile, is planning to reopen the Thailand-Malaysia border next month.
Its Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and Tourism Emergency Operation Centre have been ordered to prepare and outline the pandemic mitigation measures for the reopening of the southern border provinces at the checkpoints of Songkhla, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun.
Malaysians will be able to enter Thailand via quarantine-free “Test & Go” programme.