By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 25: The period of Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended until April 14, following the sharp increase in Covid-19 cases recorded in the country in the past few days.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in announcing this today, urged people to be mentally and physically prepared to stay at home for a reasonable longer period of time.
He said the federal government expects more new cases of Covid-19 to be recorded in the coming days.
“The trend is expected to continue for quite some time before new cases start to drop. This requires the government to continue with the MCO for a longer period of time.
“With the implementation of MCO, we have managed to control the outbreak by a fair bit but we will not be satisfied until we achieved zero new cases.
“This mean, movement of people must continue to be restricted. The government’s strategy is to find, screen, isolate and treat the Covid-19 patients,” he said when addressing the nation today.
Muhyiddin also urged people to stay calm and not to panic.
“Even though we have extended the MCO, you don’t have to unnecessarily stock up on food because the supply is enough. I assure you, there is enough food for everybody.
“I have instructed all ministries to make preparations to manage the basic essential needs of the people throughout the MCO period,” he assured.
He acknowleged that the MCO had burdened the people but said he had no choice but to extend it for people’s safety.
The Prime Minister pointed out that he would be announcing a comprehensive economic stimulus package on Friday (March 27) that would benefit all including taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers, farmers, restaurant operators, hawkers, and daily workers.
“No one will be left behind.”
As such, he said that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic Affairs has been instructed to mobilise its machinery to identify those eligible for immediate zakat aid.
Muhyiddin also called upon all charity organisations in this country to rise to the occassion by helping the needy regardless of race and religion during this challenging time.
“The difficulties they are facing are unprecedented. And I believe all of you can do something meaningful to ease their burden,” he added.— DayakDaily
