The country's borders are still shut to foreigners - Ismail Sabri

The national borders remain shut to foreigners and only returning Malaysians are allowed in.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob explained, however, that exemption was granted to diplomats, expatriates and participants of the Malaysia My Second Home program.

At the same time, he said, they have to undergo quarantine for 14 days and must apply to the Immigration Department of Malaysia to enter the country.

"The policy remains that only Malaysians returning from overseas can enter our country. That's all. Our border gates are still closed to foreigners.

“For Malaysians, they can enter. It used to be 14 days quarantine (in the quarantine centre) but for now we make quarantine at home starting tomorrow.

"However, foreigners are still not allowed (to enter) except diplomats, expatriates and Malaysia My Second Home participants. That's a bit of an exception as they will be staying here," he told a daily press conference here on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the government was still enforcing the ban on Malaysians to travel abroad except for special cases.

"We also want to close the door to our people from going abroad. However, we have many applications, such as students who had to return to their universities overseas to sit for exams or other specific cases.

"So, we agree to allow such special cases to go abroad but subject to the approval of the Malaysian Immigration Department," he said.