Malaysia under Total Movement Control Order

Malaysians will be subject to yet another national movement control order (MCO) starting 12^th May, according to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The decision to place the whole country on lockdown until 7^th June 2021 was prompted by rapidly increasing COVID-19 case numbers, he added.

He also revealed new MCO limitations, such as workplace and vehicle capacity caps, in a tweet.

Muhyiddin also cited the discovery of new COVID-19 variants in the region, the national healthcare system’s shrinking capability, and inadequate adherence to standard operating procedures as reasons for the “drastic decision.”

This is also the first time the government has issued an MCO for a four-week duration, when they have traditionally only been issued for two weeks.

1. The Malaysian National Security Centre Special Conference on COVID-19 decided to implement MCO nationwide from 12 May.
2. The third wave of COVID-19 is more violent and critical, face it with full discipline.⁣
3. House-to-house visits and grave visits during Hari Raya celebrations are not allowed.⁣
4. Only 50 people are allowed to pray on Hari Raya day for mosques and suraus with a capacity of more than 1,000 people. Lesser capacity than that would only be allowed of 20 people at once.
5. Employers are required to implement the Work From Home (WFH) policy with the presence of not more than 30% of management staff at all times.
6. The number in private vehicles, taxis and e-hailing is limited to three people including the driver.
7. All economic sectors are allowed to operate during the MCO from 12th May to 7th June.
8. MCO : All educational institutions are closed exceptional for students who will sit for international examinations.
9. Child care centres, kindergartens and nurseries are allowed to operate according to SOPs.
10. Specific measures being implemented in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan are to continue under the MCO.

The announcement came just hours after Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob made a comment on the new MCO steps, and the government has already stated that it would not use a national MCO to fight the pandemic.

Muhyiddin told the nation in January, after launching the second MCO and declaring a state of emergency, that the government would now use targeted steps and try to control the epidemic.