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Not Enough Time: Netizens Say Shops & Restaurants Under MCO Close Too Early

Not Enough Time: Netizens Say Shops & Restaurants Under MCO Close Too Early

Only activities listed as “essential services” are allowed.

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Malaysians are disgruntled over the standard operating procedures (SOP) enforced in Movement Control Order (MCO) areas across the country which limit the operating hours of restaurants, sundry shops, laundromats and other essential services, some to as early as 8pm.

Taking to social media, netizens voice concern over the short amount of time that is given for them to get food and supplies or run errands before stores close.

Others also shared the opinion that the time limit was too restrictive considering that most people only get off work late in the evenings.

Even politicians took to cyberspace and raised concerns for the people who work night shifts and are unable to feed themselves because there was nowhere for them to get food as well as for the business operators and delivery service riders who are unable to make a living because of the closure.

MCO rules

The government announced that the MCO would be in effect from 13 till 26 January in the Federal Territories (KL, Putrajaya, Labuan), Selangor, Penang, Johor, Melaka, Sabah, Kelantan as well as several districts in Sarawak.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was quoted as saying that the country is not ready to allow for extended business and operating hours until Covid-19 infection numbers decline – advising the public to follow SOP;

  • All activities other than those listed in the Essential Services List are NOT ALLOWED
  • Restaurants, shops / food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, circulating hawkers, food courts / hawker centers, roadside stalls / kiosks, grocery stores and convenience stores are ALLOWED to operate from 6 am to 8 pm
  • Food supply or sales are ONLY ALLOWED via take-away, drive-through, or delivery from 6 am to 8 pm
  • Hospitals, clinics, and medical laboratories are ALLOWED to operate for 24 hours or according to their operating license
  • Pharmacies are ALLOWED to operate from 6 am to 8 pm
  • Convenience stores / sundry shops are ALLOWED to operate from 6 am to 8 pm
  • Petrol stations are ALLOWED to operate from 6 am until 10 pm. Exception: Highway petrol stations can operate for 24 hours
  • Day and farmers markets are ALLOWED to operate from 7 am to 2 pm
  • Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to operate from 12 am to 6 am and 11 am to 4 pm
  • Pet stores and Veterinary clinics are ALLOWED to operate from 6 am to 8 pm
  • Laundry services, except for laundromats (self-service laundry) are ALLOWED to operate from 6 am to 8 pm

READ MORE: Official MCO 2.0 SOP As Of 13 January (In English)


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