Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has announced that Malaysian airports will no longer provide free PCR tests for international arrivals when it enters the endemic transition phase. Instead, they will have to get either a professional RTK-Antigen test or a breath test at their own cost.
For the last two years, Malaysians arriving from overseas were given COVID-19 PCR screening tests free of charge, with the exception of those using VTL flights. As the government is set to fully reopen the country’s international borders, arrivals will no longer be required to quarantine or take a PCR test, but rather, they have the choice to take professional tests either at the airport or with other private medical facilities outside within 24 hours.
Arrivals will also receive a travellers’ card on MySejahtera which must be updated with their RTK results within the stipulated timeframe. According to Khairy, the breath test is currently only available at KLIA and the Ministry of Health is satisfied with its accuracy as well as sensitivity.
BP Healthcare is the only test provider at KLIA 1 and KLIA 2 at the moment, but the government says more companies will be offering the service soon. Nevertheless, if you need a reference point, an RTK Antigen test at both airports currently costs RM120 for Malaysians and RM160 for foreigners according to their website.
(Source: Khairy Jamaluddin/Facebook.)
