Malaysia has announced that those entering the country from Friday, July 24, will have to serve a mandatory 14-day quarantine at either hotels or quarantine facilities.

They will also have to bear the full costs of their stay, as well as the swab tests they have to take after arrival.

This has perhaps led to a mad rush to cross the border before the new requirement kicked in on July 24.

Full cost of quarantine served in hotels or other facilities to be borne by Malaysians and visitors

Malaysia's Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob first made the announcement on the mandatory quarantine rules on Tuesday, July 21, The Star reported.

Both Malaysians and foreigners are subject to the requirement.

The move was a change from a previous policy, which allowed those who test negative for Covid-19 upon arrival in Malaysia to serve their quarantine at home.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, had not specifically mentioned those entering Malaysia from Singapore, which resulted in many thinking that the new quarantine rule applies to them as well.

The decision to impose the new rule comes after cases of people breaking their home quarantine rules, risking greater community transmission risk.

Quarantine does not apply to those crossing land border

However, the Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) -- an agency under the Prime Minister's Department -- gave further details on Wednesday, July 22, that confused travellers.

Making the announcement a day after Ismail Sabri made his announcement, NADMA said the quarantine rule does not apply to those crossing the land border via the Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Second Link Bridge, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

All entering Malaysia subject to quarantine rule with no exception

Following what appears to be a U-turn from their previously announced policy, Ismail Sabri then clarified on Thursday, July 23, that the mandatory quarantine rule applies to all Malaysians and non-citizens entering the country, regardless of whether they arrived via air, sea or land routes, Malay Mail reported.

This means those crossing the land border to enter Malaysia from Singapore will be subjected to the quarantine requirement as well.

Ismail Sabri also said children aged 12 and below will be allowed to share a room with their parents at the designated quarantine facilities should they all have returned from the same place.

Confused travellers

However, despite the clarification, some confusion among travellers continue to linger due to contradictory pieces of information they have allegedly received.

Taking to Facebook to clarify his doubts, a user posted what appears to be a screen grab of an email he received from Malaysia's immigration authorities that said those entering Malaysia from Singapore via land from Friday have to serve their 14-day quarantine at home.

He also mentioned in his post that he was told by both the Immigration Department of Malaysia and the High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore that the mandatory quarantine has to be served at designated facilities, and not at personal residences.

He said in a comment under his post that he received the email on early Friday.

In another comment, he said he was told by Malaysia's immigration authorities that the quarantine must be served at designated centres.

Other commenters appeared to be confused by the mixed messaging as well.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Top image via Wei Ern/Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossings Facebook page