[JUST IN] All Of Malaysia Now Under MCO, Announces Prime Minister
Daily new cases have surpassed 4,000 with 37,396 active cases and the death toll now 1,700.
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All of Malaysia is now under the Movement Control Order (MCO) as the number of Covid-19 cases here continued to trend upwards.
In a statement announcing the decision, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin pointed out that daily new cases had surpassed 4,000 with 37,396 active cases and the death toll now 1,700 as of 10 May 2021.
“Malaysia is facing a third wave of Covid-19 which could spark a nationwide crisis,” said Muhyiddin in the statement.
He also said that new, more infectious variants, the strain on the capacity of the public health services, and the lack of adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOP) had driven the government to take more drastic measures.
“Data and science continue to show that gatherings which make physical distancing and the presence of people in crowded areas are the main reasons for the spread of Covid-19.
“The Covid-19 chain of infection can only be broken by encouraging people to stay home through tighter movement controls,” he said.
He said a special meeting of the National Security Council (MKN) had decided that the MCO would involve the following:
- Inter-district and interstate travel is prohibited except for emergency, health, employment, economic purposes, vaccination appointments and long -distance couples;
- Prohibiting ALL forms of social gatherings including kenduri (banquets), wedding and engagement ceremonies, prayers for peace, and tahlil, dinner ceremonies, birthday celebrations, as well as official government and private functions. Any form of seminars, conferences, and face-to-face meetings are not permitted. Marriage ceremonies are allowed with the number of attendance and SOPs determined by the state Islamic religious authority for Muslims and the National Registration Department for non-Muslims;
- Prohibit all sports and recreational activities except individual sports and recreation in open areas such as jogging, cycling, and exercise by practicing physical distancing;
- All educational institutions are closed. Exceptions are given to students who will sit for international examinations. Childcare centers, nurseries, and kindergartens are allowed to operate in accordance with set SOPs to assist in the work of parents or guardians;
- The number of people in private vehicles, taxis, and e-hailing is limited to THREE PEOPLE ONLY including the driver. The number of people allowed in the vehicle carrying goods as well as the chain of economic/industrial activities depends on the number allowed in the commercial vehicle registration license. The number of persons allowed in public transport must comply with physical distancing and comply with established SOPs.
- Dine-in in restaurants and eateries is NOT PERMITTED. Drive-by and take-away food sales are permitted;
- Employers MUST implement the Work From Home (WFH) policy with the presence of not more than 30 percent of management staff at all times. Public sector WFH is determined by guidelines issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government from time-to-time; and
- House-to-house visits and grave visits during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration are NOT PERMITTED.
- Aidilfitri prayers in mosques and suraus are allowed with the presence of a congregation not exceeding 50 people for mosques and suraus that can accommodate more than 1,000 worshipers and 20 people for mosques and suraus that can accommodate less than 1,000 worshipers. The same number of congregation limits are applied to the five obligatory daily prayers and Friday prayers.
- The operation of Non-Muslim Houses of Worship will also be tightened. SOPs for Non-Muslim Houses of Worship are set by the Ministry of Unity;
- Specific measures being implemented in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan are continued.
Muhyiddin said the ban on interdistrict and interstate travel as well as the ban on social activities, sports, and education would be implemented from 10 May till 6 June as announced by Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on 8 March.
Other bans and instructions would be implemented from 12 May till 7 June.
However, throughout these periods, all economic sectors would be allowed to operate and more detailed SOPs would be published by MKN.
“The government will continue to use HIDE to observe premises and areas which are hotspots for Covid-19 as well as take follow-up measures as decided.
“I hope all the rakyat will continue to be disciplined and follow the SOP to break the chain of Covid-19 infection. The best thing is to stay at home so together we can flatten the Covid-19 infection curve,” said Muhyiddin in the statement.
He pointed out that Malaysians had managed to do just that during the first and second waves but reminded them that this third wave far more aggressive and critical.
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