UPDATE ON THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 PANDEMIC MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER 

1.     PURPOSE
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide updates regarding the following: –
a) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Higher Education Institutions to operate during the Movement Control Order 
b) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on the Entry of International Students to Malaysia
c)  Extension of e-Visa Approval Letter (eVAL)

1a) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Higher Education Institutions  
1.1     The Ministry of Higher Education issued a circular (Ref: JPT (A) 1000/001/019/01JLD.23 (29)) dated 12th January 2021 highlighting the operability of Higher Education Institutions during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
1.2     The approval to allow the entry of students to continue their studies physically at their respective education institutions is subject to the preparation and measures taken by the Higher Education Institute. These measures must be in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) during the Movement Control Order (MCO) that is issued by the National Security Council (NSC) and Ministry of Health (MOH).
1.3     All international students are required to remain on campus during the period of Movement Control Order (MCO). Students will be able to continue their courses via hybrid learning.
1.4     If a student is not present on campus and there is a need for them to return to the campus during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, the education institutions are required to issue an authorization letter for the student to travel across the district and interstate to return to their campus.
1.5     Higher Education Institutions are required to coordinate on the welfare and needs of students to ensure that they remain safe and the situation on campus is controlled.

1b) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on Entry of International Students to Malaysia
1.6     Effective 1^st January 2021, all international students (except from the United Kingdom) may enter Malaysia to continue their studies. Please be informed that holders of dependant passes are still not allowed to enter Malaysia.
1.7     However, the international student must comply with the ruling of mandatory quarantine of seven (7) or ten (10) days before entering campus.
1.8     This procedure is applicable to both new and existing students. The definition of the type of students can be described as below:
· New students who have been offered to pursue their studies in Malaysia want to obtain the student pass. This can be divided further into:
– Students who have obtained the eVAL but expired due to MCO
– Students who have submitted application for eVAL but is yet to be approved
 
· Existing Students who are students still studying (yet to complete their studies), This can be divided further into:
–  Students who have valid student pass but are stranded at their home country due to the border closure and cannot enter Malaysia to continue their studies
–  Students who do not have a valid student pass since it has expired and wishes to renew their student pass but cannot enter Malaysia due to the border closure

1.9     As part of the entry requirement, all educational institutions must provide a ‘Declaration of Accommodation’ and ‘Declaration for Commencement of Online Classes’ for their students. The template for these documents are attached to this bulletin and will be made available for download through EMGS STAR System.
 
1c) Update on eVAL Extension

1.10  EMGS would like to provide a clarification on the situation concerning students with an e-Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) that has expired since March 2020 due to the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO). Kindly note that the Immigration Department of Malaysia has agreed to allow the extension of eVAL that has expired.

2.     IMPLEMENTATION
          
2a) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Higher Education Institutions 
2.1     All Higher Education Institutions that are subjected to the Movement Control Order (MCO), Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) must refer to the SOP for Higher Education Sector that has been approved as follow: –

2.1.1       Instructions under sub-section 11(3) Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 1988 (Act 342) that is effective since 13^th January 2021
·SOP for Higher Education Sector – Movement Control Order (MCO)

2.1.2       Instructions under sub-section 11(3) Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 1988 (Act 342) that is effective since 8^th January 2021
·SOP for Higher Education Sector – Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO)
·SOP for Higher Education Sector – Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO)

2.1.3       Instructions under Rule 12, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Measures within the Infected Local Area (No.9) 2020 (P.U(A) 400/2020)) that is effective since 8^th January 2021
 
·SOP for Higher Education Sector – Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO)
 
2.2     The above Acts are available on the Ministry of Health’s official website (www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view/11?mid=289)
 
2.3     All Higher Education Institutions are required to refer and comply with the SOP for Higher Education Sector and ensure it operates and adapts based on the directive issued by the Government on Movement Control Order from time to time.
 
2.4     The Ministry of Education advises that all academic activities on campus must be conducted with full compliance in accordance to the SOP that is set and must prioritize all safety measures and follow the new norm by wearing a facemask, usage of hand sanitizers and ensuring social distancing.

2b) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on Entry of International Students to Malaysia
 
2.5     Pre-Arrival Process for New Students
 
2.5.1       Once the Immigration Department of Malaysia has approved the eVAL, the eVAL and the Travel Authorization will be auto-generated and made available for download through EMGS Website. The Travel Authorization can be downloaded from the following link below:-
https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/emgs/application/searchForm/
 
2.5.2       Download, fill and sign the Letter of Undertaking and Indemnity (LOU) and obtain the travel notice from the nearest Malaysian Mission office. This form is available for download on the following link below:-
https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/guidelines/travel-authorisation-form-base.html (Please refer to Question 6 – Point 1).
 
2.5.3       Students from countries that requires Single-Entry Visa (SEV) to enter Malaysia are required to submit their SEV application to the nearest Malaysian Mission office.
 
2.5.4       Students are required to undergo the RT-PCR COVID-19 Test three (3) days before travelling to Malaysia. The RT-PCR COVID-19 test result must be translated in ENGLISH so that the respective authorities in Malaysia can inspect it.
 
2.5.5       Students to complete the online payment for the quarantine and the COVID-19 Screening Test through MySafeTravel (www.safetravel.myeg.com.my) / MyQr application by MyEG (www.myeg.gov.my) and provide the payment slip at the international entry point upon arrival.
 
2.5.6       Students are required to download the MySejahtera app from the iOS App Store, Google Play Store or Huawei AppGallery and complete all the required information three (3) days prior to the arrival date.

2.6     Pre-Arrival Process for Existing Students
 
2.6.1       All existing students that intend to enter Malaysia must submit their Travel Authorization application through the EMGS website. Once it is approved, Travel Authorization will be made available for download through EMGS Website. The Travel Authorization can be downloaded from the following link below:-
https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/emgs/application/searchForm/
 
2.6.2       Download, fill and sign the Letter of Undertaking and Indemnity (LOU) and obtain the travel notice from the nearest Malaysian Mission office. This form is available for download on the following link below:-
https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/guidelines/travel-authorisation-form-base.html (Please refer to Question 6  – Point 1).
 
2.6.3       Students are required to undergo the RT-PCR COVID-19 Test three (3) days before travelling to Malaysia. The RT-PCR COVID-19 test result must be translated in ENGLISH so that the respective authorities in Malaysia can inspect it.
 
2.6.4       Students to complete the online payment for the quarantine and the COVID-19 Screening Test through MySafeTravel (www.safetravel.myeg.com.my) / MyQr application by MyEG (www.myeg.gov.my) and provide the payment slip at the international entry point upon arrival.
2.6.5       Students are required to download the MySejahtera app from the iOS App Store, Google Play Store or Huawei AppGallery to complete all the required information three (3) days prior to the arrival date.
 
 
2.7     Post-Arrival Process For New & Existing Students
 
2.7.1       International Students will only be allowed to enter Malaysia via KLIA and KLIA 2 entry points. International Students that attempt to enter Malaysia from other entry points will be denied entry and may risk being deported to their country of origin.
 
2.7.2       Students are required to comply with the mandatory quarantine for seven (7) or ten (10) days upon arrival to Malaysia before continuing their studies. This is subject to them furnishing their RT-PCR COVID-19 test results at the international arrival gate. International students that are not able to provide RT-PCR COVID-19 test results or if the test results are not valid/acceptable by Ministry of Health, the students will be subjected to a quarantine period of ten (10) days.
 
2.7.3       Kindly note that all fees imposed by the Government of Malaysia including the COVID-19 detection test, quarantine cost, and hospital admittance fee (if required) must be borne by the international student.