Malaysia is under a nation-wide Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of COVID 19 cases. In announcing the move in a media release this evening, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, said the government has decided to take stricter steps to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the community and to prevent cases from rising sharply. “Data and science continued to show that assembly activities that made social distancing difficult and the presence of people in congested spaces are major causes of COVID-19 transmission. “The infection chain of COVID-19 can only be broken by encouraging the people to stay at home through strict movement controls,” he said.
Under the MCO, all forms of social gatherings including weddings and banquets are prohibited. All educational institutions are closed, while childcare centres are allowed to operate based on standard operating procedures. Dine-in at restaurants will not be allowed. One car can only carry three people, including the driver. Aidilfitri prayers are allowed with a cap of 50 people for mosques and surau with capacity exceeding 1,000, the prime minister said. A cap of 20 people applies for those with lower capacity.
Employers are compelled to implement the work-from-home policy, with no more than 30 per cent of management staff present in the office at any one time. The ban on cross-district and interstate travel as well as social, sports and educational activities will take effect from Monday until June 6. Other prohibitions will take effect from May 12 to Jun 7. “All economic sectors are allowed to operate during the period,” Tan Sri Muhyiddin said.
Malaysia recorded 3,807 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the national tally to 444,484, with 1,700 deaths.
