MCO rules: childcare centres, pet shops can open

KUALA LUMPUR – In light of the movement control order (MCO) taking effect from midnight tonight, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced several measures similar to the first round of the MCO held last year.
 
Among highlighted measures announced by Ismail Sabri include:
 
- Interstate travel is allowed during the MCO on specified grounds after obtaining police permission;
 
- Humanitarian aid movement to flooded areas are allowed after obtaining police permission;
 
- Sports activities are not allowed except jogging and cycling for two people;
 
- Food-sales activities only for delivery and packing for MCO areas;
 
- Gas stations are allowed to operate from 6am to 10pm, except on highways, which can open 24 hours;
 
- Social events, such as weddings, engagements and reunions, are not allowed;
 
- Laundry outlets, except laundromats, can operate from 6am to 8pm;
 
- Employees can travel to the office with a work pass as well as a confirmation letter from the employer;
 
- Face-to-face meetings, seminars, courses, talks, exhibitions and gatherings are not allowed;
 
- Childcare centres, nurseries, montessories and kindergartens are allowed to operate with permission from the relevant ministries/agencies;
 
- Pasar pagi and pasar tani are allowed to operate from 7am to 2pm daily while pasar borong are allowed to operate from 12.01am to 6am and 11am until 4pm; and,
 
- clinics and pet shops are allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm.
 
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had yesterday announced much stricter movement restrictions in the Federal Territories and five states – Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, and Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor and Sabah.
 
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said Op Benteng, aimed at curbing illegal entries at Malaysian borders yesterday rounded up 47 undocumented migrants and five smugglers, with seven vehicles seized.
 
Ismail Sabri said police had also detained 415 individuals yesterday for not complying with SOPs under the current conditional movement control order.
 
“A total of 377 were compounded, while 38 have been placed under remand,” he said. – The Vibes, January 12, 2021