The Malaysian government will impose an entry ban on citizens from countries with more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases starting from Sep 7, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Thursday (Sep 3).

Countries on the list include the United States, Brazil, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Bangladesh, he said.

“We will add more countries deemed high-risk, which have more than 150,000 positive cases, into the list. Their citizens will be barred (from entering Malaysia)," the minister told reporters.

“However, for emergency cases or involving bilateral relations, such as if a person needs to come for a meeting between countries, we will allow entry. But it requires permission from the immigration department."

He added that the health ministry would announce more details on countries which have recorded more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases at a later date.

On Tuesday, Malaysia announced that long-term pass holders who are citizens of India, Indonesia and the Philippines will be barred from entering the country effective Sep 7.

The decision was made after considering the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases within the three countries, said Mr Ismail Sabri.

“The barring would be applicable to permanent residents, holders of Malaysia My Second Home passes, expatriates of all categories, those with resident passes, spouse visas and students who are citizens of the respective countries," he said.

“This decision was made as per the advice of the ministry of health, which felt that the barring would be an effective method in curbing the community spread of the COVID-19 virus resulting from import cases."

However, the government will allow Malaysians from high-risk countries to return, he added. They will be subject to the mandatory 14-day quarantine as stipulated in the country's standard operating procedures.