KUALA LUMPUR – The movement control order (MCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Penang, previously scheduled to end on Thursday, has been extended by two weeks until March 4.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this follows the risk assessment by the Health Ministry, which found that case numbers remained high in these states.
He said the restriction order for Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah, Putrajaya, and Sabah will be downgraded to the conditional movement control order, after the rate of new infections showed a downward trend.
Perlis, meanwhile, will be under the more relaxed recovery movement control order.
“Generally, MOH has informed that cases in most states are showing a downward trend,” Ismail said at a press conference which was broadcast live today.
He said the trend of imported cases via interstate travels has also been confirmed to have reduced by early February, two weeks after the imposition of the current MCO.
For Sarawak, which enforces its own restrictions, Ismail noted that the state has announced the extension of the conditional MCO from February 15 to March 1.
For states where the order has been relaxed, Ismail said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be similar to the conditional and recovery MCOs implemented previously in the country.
The full list of SOPs will be made available on the National Security Council’s website.
Among other things, they stipulate that gatherings and ceremonies such as weddings, engagements, birthdays and reunion parties will be allowed under strict SOPs, while spa and reflexology centres can reopen.
Business premises can also now operate up to midnight; meetings, workshops and seminars can be conducted; while dining-in will not be limited to two per table but based on the capacity and size of the table.
Meanwhile, Ismail said the 10km movement restriction previously announced for states under MCO has been lifted nationwide.
“This applies to states under the MCO too. The reason is because we have allowed most businesses to reopen, so it’s irrelevant to limit movement to just 10km,” he said.
Ismail said although the restriction order for most states has been relaxed, it is vital that the public continues to abide by all government SOPs to break the chain of infection. – The Vibes, February 16, 2021
