Schools in Selangor will close starting tomorrow as the movement control order (MCO) begins in six districts – Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.
Nurseries and kindergartens, however, will be allowed to operate during the MCO in the six districts, which starts tomorrow, until May 17.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, had, in a press conference this evening, said the decision was made following the high number of Covid-19 cases in the state. Yesterday, Selangor recorded 675 new Covid-19 cases.
“All public educational institutions will be closed starting tomorrow, until May 17. Technically, it’s just two additional days as students will be going for their break starting next week.
“As for kindergartens, they will be allowed to open so that parents can work.”
Amirudin also said there will be no dining-in at eateries throughout the MCO. However, eateries are allowed to operate from 6am to midnight.
As for Ramadan bazaars, he said traders will have until Friday to operate.
“This will allow them to finish their stocks. Starting Saturday, there will not be any Ramadan bazaars (in the six MCO areas). The traders would have been operating for 25 days, so it’s not a cruel decision,” said Amirudin.
“The state government will provide RM500 incentive to each trader.”
Hypermarkets and night markets will be allowed to open during the MCO but only until 10pm. The number of visitors will be restricted based on the size of the premise to ensure there is adequate physical distancing.
Meanwhile, the government also announced this evening that Kuala Lumpur will be placed under MCO from May 7 to 20.
Here’s the news round-up for The News Normal today.
KJ: COVID-19 VACCINE SUPPLY SLOW, MAY DISRUPT IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Malaysia may not have enough Covid-19 vaccines to start Phase 3 of the National Immunisation Programme.
The third phase, scheduled to begin this month, is for adults aged 18 and above.
He said Malaysia was “extremely dissatisfied” with the distribution of vaccinations, adding that pharmaceutical companies had given priority to richer nations.
“It’s not that we cannot do it fast, but vaccine supply is slow,” Khairy said after visiting the vaccination centre at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
He added Malaysia will receive more vaccines in June and July.
JARINGAN PRIHATIN PROGRAMME TO BENEFIT 8.4M MALAYSIANS
Some 8.4 million recipients of Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat will further benefit from the newly-launched Jaringan Prihatin Programme.
The RM3.5 billion programme will see the government providing financial assistance for Internet data or to buy mobile phones.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said such financial assistance will enable the lower-income group to have equal access to the Internet and narrow the digital transformation gap within society.
“The government will spend RM2 billion while telecommunication companies and service providers will provide RM1.5 billion worth of free data,” Muhyiddin said.
DON’T HOLD ELECTION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SAYS DR M
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said plans to hold the 15th General Election should be shelved, at least until 2023, due to the rise in Covid-19 cases.
“If an election is held during Covid-19 (pandemic), we will see a spread,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia in an exclusive interview.
“Even after the end of the Emergency, there should be no election. It (GE15) may have to wait till the date arrives in 2023.”
MOTHER OF AUTISTIC CHILD SHARES DENTAL EXPERIENCE AT HKL
What is often seen as a simple dental routine for the average person turned out to be an eye-opening experience for Gulshan Kaur, mother of a 21-year-old who has autism.
Gulshan praises the team at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) as she shares the tedious, yet successful process of getting her son’s teeth checked and fixed.
