PM: Whole country under MCO from May 12-June 7

The whole country will be placed under the movement control order from May 12 to June 7 due to rising Covid-19 cases, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

May 10, 2021

By Jstin Zack
The whole country will be placed under the movement control order from May 12 to June 7 due to rising Covid-19 cases, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"With daily cases exceeding 4,000 cases, and with 37,396 active cases and 1,700 deaths as of May 10, Malaysia is facing a third wave that could break into a national crisis.

"Data and science show that gatherings make social distancing difficult, and that large groups in closed spaces are the leading cause of the Covid-19 spread," he said in a statement on Monday (May 10).

Muhyiddin said the chain of infection can only be broken, with the public remaining at home by enforcing stricter movement control.

All inter-district and interstate travel will be prohibited unless for work and economic purposes, health matters, emergencies, vaccination appointments and long-distance couples, he said.

"Mass gatherings such as weddings, dinners and tahlils, as well as official government and private events, are prohibited.

"Childcare centres, nurseries, kindergartens are allowed to operate in full compliance with SOPs.

"Face-to-face seminars and meetings will not be allowed as well. However, akad nikah ceremonies will be allowed following the set SOPs by the state Islamic agencies for Muslims, and by the National Registration Department for non-Muslims," he said.

Muhyiddin said a three-person limit to private vehicles, taxis and e-hailing vehicles will be enforced.

"Vehicles that a part of the industrial and economic sectors will have its passengers limited based on the relevant licences," he said.

He said employers must enforce a work-from-home order, with no more than 30% of its management in office at any one time.

"Hari Raya celebrations are completely prohibited. This includes visiting friends and relatives, and graveyard visits.

"However, Hari Raya prayers will be allowed but limited to only 50 people inside mosques and suraus that can accommodate more than 1,000 people.

"For those that can accommodate less than 1,000 people, a limit of 20 people will be enforced. This limit will be enforced for regular prayers and Friday prayers as well," he said.

Muhyiddin said the ban on inter-district and interstate travel, as well as social, sports and education activities has started on May 10 and will last until June 6 as previously announced.

"The start date for the rest of the listed instructions will begin May 12 and be in effect until June 7," he said.

The Prime Minister added that throughout this nationwide MCO period, all economic sectors will remain operational.

"The government will continue using the HIDE system to monitor premises and hotspots, as well as take follow-up actions.

"I hope the public will remain disciplined and continue to obey the set SOPs to break the chain of infections," he said.

He reminded all that the best course of action was to stay at home.

"We have flattened the curve during the first and second wave. I wish to remind all that the third wave that we are currently facing is more fierce and critical.

"We have not won. God-willing, we will beat this virus," he said.––The Star