By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 16: The federal government is implementing restricted movement order from March 18 to 31.
This was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during a special address this evening.
“The federal government has decided to implement a restricted movement period from March 18 to 31. This is implemented under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
“This includes the general prohibition of mass movements and gatherings across the country including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.
“To enforce this prohibition, all houses of worship and business premises must be closed except for supermarkets, public markets, convenience stores and convenience stores selling everyday necessities,” he said during a live telecast over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) this evening.
For Muslims, Muhyiddin said all religious activities in mosques including Friday prayers should cease.
Besides, the prime minister said all Malaysians who have just returned from overseas are required to undergo a health check and to do a quarantine (or self quarantine) for 14 days
There will also be restrictions on the entry of tourists or foreigners to Malaysia.
Apart from that, he revealed that all kindergartens, government and private schools including daily schools, boarding schools, international schools, tahfiz centers and other primary, secondary and pre-university institutions will be closed during the period.
Furthermore, he said all government and private premises except those involved in essential services such as water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel, lubricants, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmacy, fire, prison, harbor, airport, security, defense, cleaning, retail and food supply will need to be closed.
Muhyiddin explained that it is the government’s plan to contain the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and to control the second wave of Covid-19.
He observed that there was an increase of Covid-19 positive cases in the last few days and there is a need for drastic measures to address the situation immediately.
In the meantime, he assured the public that the essential goods in the market is sufficient and there is no reason for the public to be panic.
During noon time today, the Ministry of Health (MoH) announced that there were 125 new positive cases of Covid-19 in Malaysia which brought the total number of cases to 553.
In Sarawak, there were 14 new positive cases reported today, the highest number since the first positive case was reported last Friday.
This has prompted the state government to take some control measures to prevent further escalation of Covid-19 cases.
Among them is the extension of school break for another week and visitors coming to Sarawak either domestic or foreigners are subjected to a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN). — DayakDaily
Note from editor: The story has been updated
