Malaysia will be under the Movement Control Order (MCO) for the third time starting Wednesday till June 7.
There would also be no house visits for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
However, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the economy would remain open. People are allowed to jog, cycle and exercise on their own in open spaces.
The announcement comes as Malaysia recorded 3,807 new Covid-19 cases and 17 deaths today.
Muhyiddin said Malaysia was facing a third wave which could spark a national crisis.
He said the new variants, with higher infection rates, put a strain on the public health system.
“Poor compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by certain quarters has forced the government to take such a drastic measure,” he added.
Under the latest nationwide MCO:
- Travel between districts and states is strictly prohibited unless for an emergency, health, work, economy, vaccination appointments and meeting spouses.
- All forms of social gatherings, including weddings, engagements, dinner receptions and birthdays are prohibited. Seminars and face-to-face meetings are also not allowed. Marriage solemnisation allowed but bound by SOPs set by state religious departments (for Muslims) and National Registration Department (non-Muslims).
- Only jogging, cycling and exercising are allowed in open spaces while maintaining physical distancing.
- All educational institutions will remain close. Exceptions will be given to students who will be sitting for international examinations.
- Nurseries, daycare centres and kindergartens are allowed to operate to enable parents to work.
- Only three people (including driver) are allowed in a private vehicle, taxi or e-hailing vehicle.
- No dine-ins in eateries.
- Employers must enforce work from home with not more than 30 per cent of the management staff in the office at a time.
- House visits and visiting of graves for Hari Raya Aidilfitri are not allowed.
“I hope the public will continue to be disciplined and adhere to the SOPs to break the chain of Covid-19 infection,” said Muhyiddin.
“It’s best to stay at home to flatten the curve,” he added.
