All You Have to Know About Movement Control Order 2.0

Why is MCO 2.0 Imposed?

Malaysia began recording four-digit daily cases for COVID-19 since 24^th October 2020. The highest record was reported on 7^th January 2021, which was 3,027 cases. The projected daily cases in the country is expected to reach up to 5,000 cases a day in the second week of April 2021 and will jump to 8,000 cases a day by May 2021 if we don’t stop it.

The facilities of the Ministry of Health Malaysia are no longer able to accommodate the increase of up to 2,000 new cases every day.

15 hospitals recorded a COVID-19 (non-ICU) bed usage rate of over 70%. More than 1,450 medical personnel in hospitals nationwide have been infected. Flood disasters and increasing cases in some states also complicated the process of mobilising members within the state and also between states.

When Will MCO 2.0 Start?

The Government has decided to implement the Movement Control Order (MCO) for a period of 14 days starting at 12.01 midnight, Wednesday, 13^th January 2021 until 26^th January 2021.

How Would the MCO Be Implemented?

It will involve 3 levels which are :

Movement Control Order (MCO) on six (6) states namely Penang, Selangor, Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan), Melaka, Johor and Sabah.

Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) on six (6) states namely Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) will be implemented for the states of Perlis and Sarawak and will continue throughout the period.

The states affected by MCO are high-risk states as a result of risk assessment by the MOH. The level of capability of its health services has almost reached its maximum capacity.

What are the Restrictions?

Movement Control Order (MCO)

1. No interstate or inter-district travel.
2. No social events, such as marriages, wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions, meetings, lectures, classes, and community sports activities, like Thaipusam.
3. Roadblocks will be mounted; movements restricted to individuals in a car in a 10 km radius. Effective 13th January (12.01am)
4. Just two persons per household are permitted to go to local supermarkets or grocery stores to buy groceries.
5. Only two persons per vehicle are permitted.
6. Anyone who breaches these laws will be subject to a maximum fine of RM1,000 under the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act 1988 (Act 342).
7. Only 5 main economic sectors are authorised to operate: production; construction; service; trade and distribution; and plantations and commodities.
8. Only 30% of employees within the management group of a corporation are permitted to go into office; employers are permitted to decide the number of employees permitted in office at any time (taking into consideration of standard operating procedures (SOP) compliance)
9. Ensure complete adherence to SOP, always practise physical distancing.
10. Non-essential workers of services operate from home; employers must comply with this decision.
11. Eateries and hawker stalls can work. Only take-away is permitted.
12. Food delivery services are allowed
13. Supermarkets, health facilities (including clinics, hospitals and pharmacies), banks that are required to operate with strict SOP compliance.
14. If there is no real or urgent need to go out, remain at home.

STUDENTS

Candidates due to sit for SPM in 2020 and 2021 with strict SOP are permitted to attend school. The Education Ministry will outline this SOP in depth.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Only a maximum of 5 members of the mosque/worship committee houses are allowed at once.

ACTIVITIES RECREATIONAL

1. Outdoor recreational activities among individuals within the same household are permitted. Individuals must maintain a gap of 2 metre at all times.
2. No more than 2 people were allowed at any one time to jog.
3. Biking is not permitted in groups; only one person is permitted.

CONDITIONAL MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (CMCO)

1. No interstate travels.
2. No social gatherings, such as weddings, wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions (including Thaipusam), meetings, seminars, courses, and group sport activities.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Allowed with the minimum number of participants set out in the SOP to ensure physical distance. State religious authorities are required to provide proper guidelines to assess the number of participants permitted.

RECOVERY MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (RMCO)

1. No interstate travels.
2. Social gatherings allowed, provided in full compliance of the standard operating procedures.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Allowed with the minimum number of participants set out in the SOP to ensure physical distance. State religious authorities are required to provide proper guidelines to assess the number of participants permitted.

What about Our Necessities?

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has assured that supply in all retail sectors is adequate. Monitoring of consumer necessities including face masks supply will be done daily.

We Are All Frontliners Now

The Prime Minister urges community leaders to take charge and be protective of their respective communities from being the site of transmission of COVID-19.

He also reminded the nation that the virus is already in the community and lives within the society. People are advised to not feel too comfortable and not to neglect precautionary measures such as washing our hands often with soap, wearing face masks properly, taking care of physical distance and avoiding contact.