My husband and sister number 3 are home now. My husband, after being with his family for seven weeks, following his father’s passing. My sister, on compassionate grounds, to be with my ailing mum.

It was not quick nor easy for either of them to return to Malaysia from England. Mainly because Covid-19 is still a threat to our lives and livelihood. And, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) like wearing masks, physical distancing, providing hand sanitizers, and registering before entering all public premises are still strictly enforced nationwide.

Yesterday, new cases stood at 4,854. To date, 95.6% of the adult population have been fully vaccinated, and 76.5% of the total population have had two doses administered. Booster shots have already been introduced. Additionally, the Immigration Department under the Home Ministry and the Ministry of Health have in place procedures to guide and monitor the entry and exit of people to and from the country. Again, mainly because Covid-19 continues to remain a threat.

To be honest, my husband and I only looked at paper work needed for him to return home after his dad’s funeral in late September. My husband had a tentative return flight ticket for October 6. He finally arrived on October 26.

We did the following and learnt a few things along the way.  One. We looked up these websites:   https://mtp.imi.gov.my/MyTravelPass/main?termConditionN3G, https://hso.moh.gov.my/outbreak-portal-hqa/index and https://safetravel.myeg.com.my. For my husband, the application was made under Spouse of Malaysian. For sister number 3, it was under Foreigners (Social Visit)/Permanent Residents (PR).

Two. For MyTravelPass, a sponsor was needed. Moi.  Then, we uploaded the list of requested documents, namely passport (biodata page), Long Term Pass, latest Exit Stamp in passport /current residing country, marriage certificate, my identity card (IC) and birth certificate. Just in case, we also included my husband’s birth certificate. Each upload could not exceed 250kb each. We checked multiple times before making the submission.

In exactly 7 working days we got a response. But not the response we expected. Rejected. Why? We uploaded what was listed. The reason given was we hadn’t provided the vaccine certificate as the Malaysian Government was implementing the Movement Control Order.  To be clear, the vaccine certificate was not asked in the MyTravelPass list. Never mind. We applied again on the very same day. Same documents plus the vaccine certificate were submitted. In 7 working days, it was approved. Yay. Relief.     

For sister number 3, documents sent were passport and vaccination certificate (we learnt from my husband’s submission), letter from my mum’s cardiologist, medical reports, and familial relationship comprising my mum’s IC, sister number 3’s birth certificate and wedding certificate. She applied on September 30. Approval received on Oct 26. Yay. Relief.

Three. Request for Home Quarantine. To qualify, applicants must have a home or residence in Malaysia, a negative PCR-test and full vaccination. We applied 7-10 days before the arrival date in Malaysia. Documents that were submitted were passport (biodata page), Long Term Pass, Exit Stamp, vaccination certificate, approved MyTravelPass and evidence of residence address and details of residence. We added the flight ticket and my husband’s bank statement to re-confirm our home address and even a DBKL (city council) letter reflecting the name change of our condominium building. We wanted to be absolutely thorough. After checking and re-checking, we hit the submit button.  Voila, approval in two days. Yay. Relief.

It was a little more straightforward for sister number 3. Documents were passport, vaccination certificate, quarantine address, approved MyTravelPass and flight ticket. Approval in 2 days. Yay. Relief.

Four. What about https://safetravel.myeg.com.my? After an email enquiry and a telephone call, we were told once home quarantine was approved, payment for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test can be made on arrival at KLIA.

Five. Within, yes, within 72 hours of departure of flight time/date, have a PCR test done.  

Six. Create a folder containing passport, flight ticket, PCR test result and MyTravelPass and Home Quarantine approvals for checks by various authorities.

Seven. Download the MySejahtera app.

Eight. At KLIA, scan QR code with MySejahtera app. Look out for BP Healthcare’s Doctor2U staff. They will do the PCR test (cost RM100 more) but very importantly, they will help you with the process which is as follows: a) Register at the Home Quarantine counter b) Affix pink wristband c) Do PCR test e) Present MyTravelPass and passport to authorities f) Exit airport to quarantine at home.

Nine. Ensure that PCR test result is uploaded on MySejahtera app. Stay home. Wear mask. Wash hands. Practice physical distancing.

Ten. Check MySejahtera app daily and ‘Things to do.’

Eleven. Do a PCR test on day 5 of Home Quarantine. Ensure the result is uploaded on MySejahtera app.

Twelve. Day eight. Get pink wristband removed at an authorised centre.

Thirteen. Ensure MySejahtera app displays Low Risk and Fully Vaccinated, and not Person Under Surveillance (PUS).

Merdeka!