Malaysia announces 14-day restricted Movement Control Order to curb Covid-19 outbreak

At 10.30PM last night, Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced in a special address to the nation a Movement Control order that will take place tomorrow, starting 18th March and will continue until 31st March throughout Malaysia to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Movement Control order is enacted under the auspices of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Police Act 1967. What this means is the banning of large movements and gatherings of people nationwide including religious, sporting, social and cultural activities too. 

To enforce this, all houses of worship, kindergartens, public and private schools and business premises in both the government and private sector will be closed for the duration of the Movement Control order though essential services will remain open.

These essential services include supermarkets, public markets, sundry shops and convenience stores as well as key utilities such as water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, the postal services, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel and lubricants, broadcasting, finances, banking, health, pharmacies, fire and rescue, prisons, ports, airports, security, defence and public sanitation.

There is also a complete travel restriction for all Malaysians going overseas and for foreign tourists and visitors into Malaysia with returning Malaysians required to undergo health checks and a 14-day self quarantine period.

The Prime Minister also assured that the supply of food, daily necessities and health products such as face masks are sufficient and that the drastic measures of the Movement Control Order must be taken to check the spread of the virus by restricting public movement to prevent more infections from the coronavirus. There will also be a hotline for enquiries regarding the Restriction of Movement Order at 03-8888-2010 from 12.00PM from 17th March.

[Image Source, Source 1, Source 2]