In his latest address to the nation over the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysian Health Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin has announced that COVID-positive individuals who are under the age of 60 and do not possess any preexisting comorbidities will no longer be required to visit the COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC).
COVID-positive individuals in Category 1 and Category 2A no longer required to visit CAC
As the majority of new COVID-19 cases being reported across the country belong in Category 1 (no symptoms) and Category 2A (sore throat, flu without fever or shortness of breath, cough without fever or shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste but still have appetite, loss of sense of smell, diarrhoea, nausea and vomitingfatigue but can still do daily activities, muscle aches but can still do daily activities), the Ministry of Health has decided to allow those who have tested positive in either category to isolate from home and are not required to report themselves to the nearest CAC.
They will only be required to conduct a self-assessment on their health condition daily via the Health Assessment Tool (HAT) that is readily accessible via the MySejahtera application.
In the event that a COVID-positive individual who is self-isolating from home fails to conduct his or her daily assessment, the Ministry of Health will send out an Automated Voice Recording to check in on their condition. Individuals who are suffering from more severe COVID-19 infections will be instructed to visit their nearest CAC via their MySejahtera application, or be contacted by staff members of the CAC through SMS or phone call.
For those who are found to have been infected by COVID-19 in category 2B (persistent fevers for longer than 2 days, breathing difficulties when performing certain activities, suffering from chest pains, loss of appetite, have worsening coughs, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, low levels of consciousness and reduced urination in 24 hours) and belong to at-risk groups, you will still be required to visit the nearest CAC or hospital for further examination immediately.
At-risk groups include those who are:
- Aged 60 and above.
- Have comorbidities.
- Have worsening symptoms.
- Have not been vaccinated, or have not had their complete vaccination schedule.
Fully-vaccinated individuals who test positive but are asymptomatic will only need to self-isolate for 1 week
The Ministry has also announced that fully-vaccinated individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and do not show any symptoms may now self-isolate from home for seven days, while the isolation period for COVID-positive individuals who have not been vaccinated/have not completed their vaccination schedule and show symptoms is 10 days.
As for those who have been found to be in close contact with COVID-positive individuals, the quarantine period will be as follows:
- 5 days for individuals who have received their booster dose.
- 7 days for individuals who have completed both initial vaccine doses.
- 10 days for individuals who have not completed their vaccine schedule, or have not been vaccinated.
Regardless of your vaccination status, those who have been identified as close contacts and do not display any COVID symptoms are not required to visit the nearest CAC, and are not required to undergo any COVID-19 tests. They will be served a digital Home Surveillance Order and may self-isolate at home.
Should individuals who have been identified as close contacts are found to be suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, they are required to immediately conduct a COVID-19 self-test. Close contacts who test positive and are found to be in Category 2A may continue to isolate from home, and are required to upload their test results to MySejahtera. They are also required to conduct a daily health assessment via the HAT feature in MySejahtera.
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