It's been over a year since many of us have travelled overseas for a memorable getaway or to simply meet family and friends who live abroad. Other countries across the globe have been gradually reopening borders while in Malaysia, domestic travel is making a return a lot sooner than we think.
P.S. Singaporeans can look forward to quarantine-free travel to Germany, Brunei and more this September onwards!
When can Malaysians travel overseas?
As of August 2021, Malaysians are not allowed to travel overseas for non-essential or leisure travel purposes. This temporary travel ban also applies to Malaysians who have been fully vaccinated. However, there are several situations that might allow Malaysians to travel internationally - read more about it here!
In recent travel news, The Star has reported that 100% of the operating pilots and cabin crew of Malaysia Airlines have been vaccinated! This gives us a glimmer of hope that international travel is in the works and that when the day comes, travellers can have a peace of mind when flying.
While Malaysians may not be able to fly out of the country for leisure travel just yet, that doesn't mean you can't dream about your future getaway. Keep your travel spirit alive with these articles:
- 10 Borders That Are Opening Their Borders To Vaccinated Travellers
- 10 European Countries Malaysians Can Visit Visa-Free For Their Future Getaways
- Phuket Has Safely Reopened To Vaccinated Travellers
Where can I travel to domestically?
Domestic travel will likely be the focus for many vaccinated Malaysians once restrictions ease and the pandemic is under control - especially since popular islands like Langkawi, Redang and Tioman have been working towards opening their borders as part of Malaysia's COVID-19 Free Destination Program.
This also means going on staycations in Kuala Lumpur, chilly getaways in Cameron Highlands or hidden gems in the country. It's a great opportunity to also explore places off the beaten path in our own backyard, as these will likely be less crowded. Plus, these places will provide that first refreshing change of environment after the stay-home period, while also being a good way to support the local economy as our country gets back into the swing of things.
It may be awhile before we can travel safely like we used to. However, with more countries ramping up their vaccination program and reopening their borders to vaccinated travellers, it won't be long before we can enjoy leisure travel once more. For more travel information, check out our other articles: