KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — The government has banned interstate travel to and from Sabah beginning October 12 until October 25, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

In a statement, Ismail Sabri, who is also defence minister, said that special exemptions will be given for select cases, involving emergencies, deaths, needful services, and others, for which clearance must first be obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

"Those who have obtained permission must also undergo the Covid-19 screening by MOH, upon landing at their destined entry points,” he added.

Ismail then listed categories for which travelling into Sabah is permitted:

• Sabah natives whose MyKad has the ‘H’ code.
• Spouses of Sabah natives who have a valid Malaysian immigration pass issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department of Sabah, or proof of marriage and child birth certificate.
• Essential service workers who have a valid Malaysian Immigration pass issued by the Immigration Department Malaysia of Sabah.
• Non-Sabah native students who have a card/student pass from the Malaysian Immigration Department of Sabah state
• Federal Civil Service members serving in Sabah, who are required to obtain the Section 66 (1) (d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 stamp at the Immigration office of Sabah after entering Sabah.
• Sabah permanent residents with the code ‘H’ MyPR or Entry Permit Card, or the endorsement of the permit in their passports.

Ismail said that those in the categories allowed to enter Sabah must make an application to the Chief Minister’s Department through the Home Affairs and Research Office for consideration.

"They will also undergo a Covid-19 screening test by the MOH upon arriving at their destined entry points,” he added.

Ismail said that those with queries can direct their questions to the Sabah state disaster operations control room at 088-369434. 

Malaysia recorded an exponential surge of Covid-19 cases nationwide over the past few days, with the country recording a new record-high of 432 cases yesterday, days after the Sabah state election ended. 

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will be addressing the public on live television today at 6pm, on the Covid-19 situation in the country.

** A previous version of this story contained an error on the date of interstate travel which has since been corrected.