[ad_1]
PETALING JAYA: Despite Malaysia’s admirable efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the Recovery Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended until December 31.
Announcing this yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the decision to extend the recovery MCO, which was supposed to end on August 31, was taken as there were still daily new cases in the country.
In a live television broadcast to the nation, he said the government still needs to enforce the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act of 1988 (Act 342) to control the pandemic.
“The government has decided to extend the recovery MCO until December 31. With this extension, compliance actions can continue to be taken under Law 342.
“The global spread of Covid-19 has yet to show signs of abating in the near future.
“Our country still faces challenges in managing this pandemic as the virus (SARS-CoV-2) is still actively spreading throughout the world.
“Seeing that cases occur abroad, this virus is not only active, it is also accelerating on a larger scale, and we cannot afford to take the threat of super-spreaders in our country lightly,” he said.
Muhyiddin cited the recent groupings in Sivagangga, Tawar and Sala in Kedah; Sanglang in Perlis; and the group in Sarawak as examples of why there needs to be stricter enforcement to ensure the pandemic is contained.
“The government will also tighten control at our borders.
“We have forced those returning from abroad (locals and foreigners) to undergo a 14-day quarantine at stations identified by the government.
“The quarantine in certain places will continue to apply as well,” he said.
Muhyiddin also backed the recent proposal from the Ministry of Health to increase the compounding rates for those who violate the recovery MCO.
“I also support the proposal of the Ministry of Health to increase the compound rate for crimes (against the recovery OLS) by at least two or three times the current rate.
“However, this must be studied and Law 342 must be amended,” Muhyiddin said.
On Tuesday, the Health Ministry proposed that the government increase the fine for aggravated crimes under the Law from the current 1,000 to 10,000 ringgit.
Muhyiddin also said that since the mask is now a basic necessity, the government is discussing with suppliers how to lower the price further.
The extension means that nightclubs and entertainment centers will not yet be allowed to operate.
“These are places where it is difficult to enforce the new rules.
“The entry of foreign tourists will not yet be allowed to avoid cases imported into the country.
“Sports activities will be allowed, but without foreign participants,” Muhyiddin said.
Malaysia confirmed yesterday 10 new cases of Covid-19, eight imported cases and two local transmissions.
This brought the total number of cases in the country to 9,306 since the outbreak began.
The country’s death toll stood at 125, or a 35% death rate, and the last time Malaysia saw a Covid-19-related death was on July 31.
The latest group in the country is the Tawar group, which so far has 73 confirmed cases.
Aman Jaya in Kedah underwent an improved OLS indefinitely from yesterday.
[ad_2]
