Are you ready to experience the travel bubble to Langkawi? We sure are but wait!
Photo credit: @luqmann.el
Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has released standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the tourism bubble for Langkawi, which will be open to all fully-vaccinated domestic tourists effective 16 September 2021. Here's everything you need to know about the Langkawi travel bubble.
Travel is only open to fully-vaccinated individuals (i.e. those who have completed two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine).
The scheme is only on or after 16 September 2021.
Langkawi can be visited by domestic tourists who meet the SOP criteria from all over the country (SOPs listed below), including from states in Phase 1 of the National Rehabilitation Plan.
However, this permission does not apply to those who are currently in areas under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (PKPD, also known as EMCO).
There is no age limit set for entry to Langkawi Island.
However, individuals under the age of 18 must travel with a fully vaccinated guardian.
Insurance coverage as well as COVID-19 screening is not mandatory.
Requirements relating to the journey into Langkawi:
Tourists have the option to go to Langkawi by air and land.
For those coming in by road, they must use the services of travel agencies, at least for the transportation from their respective starting destination to the ferry jetty in Langkawi.
For tourists who start their journey to Langkawi from Kedah and Perlis, as well as those who use the air route, they are not required to use the services of travel agencies.
Those travelling by air do not need to apply for police permit.
For all eligible tourists to Langkawi, here are the SOPs:
Limited to individuals who have completed two doses of vaccination;
The types of vacations allowed are daily (round trip on the same day), overnight, vacations with pre-made accommodation/admission bookings, tour package vacations through a travel company licensed and registered with MOTAC;
The number of passengers per vehicle while en route is subject to the actual capacity of the vehicle;
Visitors who need to adjust to the ferry service hours to Langkawi are allowed to spend the night at registered accommodation premises in Kedah/Perlis;
Visitors must show proof-of-purchase documents for tourism products such as flight tickets, ferry tickets, hotel receipts or travel package receipts when applying for permission with PDRM and when requested by SOP compliance agency enforcement;
The permitted activities for the Langkawi tourism bubble include:
Accommodation in hotels and homestays including facilities in hotel and homestay premises such as surau, swimming pool, gymnasium, lounge, hall, business events (MICE), tourism, and cultural events subject to the General Phase Four SOPs issued by MKN and SOPs of the Ministry/ Department/ Agency related;
Beach activities, water sports, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing tourism, edutainment centers, recreational parks, extreme/ adventure/ nature parks, farms, aquariums, zoos and other leisure, recreational and social activities;
Special interest tourism activities (golfing, scuba diving, cycling, angling, yachting, etc.);
Eco geo-travel activities (bird watching, caving, mountain climbing, white water rafting, hiking, jungle trekking, camping and so on);
Premises of art, culture and heritage such as museums, libraries, art galleries, cultural heritage art centers/villages, staging of cultural performances and others;
Theme parks and family entertainment centers; and
Academic tours such as Geopark Discovery Center, art gallery, paddy field.
Photo Credits: @syaraff
Langkawi is but the first of many tourism destinations under this travel bubble and we hope once each state has achieved herd immunity, more islands and destinations can be reopened once. Remember to follow SOPs and do our parts for a relaxing travel experience once more.
In the meantime, check out this link for Langkawi travel deals to start planning!
Sources: MOTAC, Klook, Human Resources Online
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