PETALING JAYA,Jan 11: Five states will come under a 14-day movement control order (MCO) from Wednesday, following the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced.
The five states are Selangor, Penang, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.
All social activities in these states are off, including Thaipusam, Chinese New Year and group sports activities. All cross-border travel will also be forbidden.
A conditional MCO will be imposed on Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.
Perlis and Sarawak will be under a recovery MCO.
Muhyiddin said the government understands the concerns of the people and the burden shouldered by frontliners.
“Our health system is at a breaking point,” he said, adding that public health facilities could no longer support 2,000 cases a day.
“The government realises a stricter approach must be taken to break the chain of infections and lower the number of daily infections.”
He added that roadblocks will be in place from Wednesday, 12.01am and that travel in MCO areas is limited to a 10km radius.
“For the purchase of essentials from hypermarkets or nearby shops, only two members of a family are allowed to go out in the same vehicle.
“Any individual found flouting the law will be fined RM1,000.”
Muhyiddin said all social, religious, and cultural activities involving mass gatherings including weddings, events, as well as for Chinese New Year and Thaipusam celebrations are not allowed.
“Interstate travelling is not allowed nationwide while in MCO areas, inter-district travelling is also not allowed.”
Muhyiddin said five essential economic sectors will be allowed to operate, primarily the manufacturing, construction, services, trading and distribution, as well as plantations and commodities.
Workers in non-essential industries will be required to work from home.
Muhyiddin said eateries and restaurants will be allowed to operate, although dining-in will not be allowed.
“They can only open for takeaways,” he said. Food delivery services will also be allowed to operate.
