Expatriates and professional visit pass-holders from the 23 countries, including Bangladesh, in the enforced entry ban list drawn up by Malaysia are now allowed to enter the country.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said a special Cabinet committee had decided to slightly relax the regulation enforced on Sept 7.

"However, expatriates and professional visit pass-holders will have to obtain approval from the Immigration Department before they can enter the country.

"Their application must be accompanied by a support letter from the Malaysian Investment Development Authorities or related agencies," he said today.

The Malaysian government has also decided to allow permanent residents, as well as foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens, to enter Malaysia, provided it is a one-way journey and that they remain in the country.

Student pass-holders from the affected countries will also be allowed into Malaysia.

"All categories mentioned must get approval from immigration beforehand," the minister said.

Ismail said the immigration would not be accepting new applications for student passes.

The entry ban, which took effect on September 7, was imposed as the 23 countries had recorded a high number of Covid-19 cases.

The countries are: the United States, Brazil, India, Russia, Peru, Columbia, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Iran, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Iraq, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Copyright: The Star/ Asia News Network