Today is the 300th day of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which began on March 18, 2020.
However, it is back to Day 1 for five states and three federal territories starting Jan 13.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the latest round of MCO was required due to a spike in Covid-19 cases. He added Malaysia’s healthcare system is at a breaking point.
“The situation today is very alarming and our healthcare system is at a breaking point.
“Unprecedented situations call for unprecedented measures.”
Malaysia has recorded 138,224 Covid-19 cases with 555 deaths to date.
Here’s what the MCO 2.0 is about:
i. MCO is from Jan 13 to Jan 26 in Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
Conditional Movement Control Order is imposed on Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.
Perlis and Sarawak are under the Recovery Movement Control Order.
ii. No social activities allowed, namely gatherings, wedding receptions, celebrations – including Thaipusam, and sports in groups in MCO areas.
iii. No interstate travel allowed nationwide. In MCO areas, district travel is also not allowed. Roadblocks, manned by police and armed forces personnel, will be set up in MCO areas. Travel is restricted to within a 10km radius. Only two family members are allowed to be in the same vehicle. Those who ignore this can be fined a maximum of RM1,000.
iv. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and Public Works Department (for the construction sector) will provide a detailed list of sectors that fall under essential services. Banks, clinics, pharmacies, markets, grocery shops and delivery services will be allowed to operate.
Only 30 per cent of the workforce for essential services are allowed in the office. Employees for those not listed under essential services will work from home.
v. In MCO areas, there will be no dine-ins at restaurants or cafes. Just takeaways.
vi. Religious activities – only committee members (maximum of five people) can go to the respective places of worships.
vii. You are allowed to jog or cycle but not in groups. As Muhyiddin said: “You can jog with another family member but stay away from other individuals. You can also cycle, but do it alone.”
