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KUALA LUMPUR: The recovery phase of Malaysia’s COVID-19 motion control order (RMCO) will run until December 31 and tourists will remain unable to enter the country, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.
Speaking in a televised address on Friday (August 28), the prime minister said that despite the number of new cases in the country declining, the virus continues to ravage globally. The RMCO phase was originally scheduled to end on August 31.
“I am aware that based on global developments, we will go through a long period before the country can be completely free from the threat of COVID-19,” he said.
“For now, the situation is under control. However, if there is an increase in cases in certain locations, the government will take a specific approach by implementing an enhanced motion control order or a directed motion control order, as described. previously applied in various places. ”
He added: “This means that the government requires a legal mechanism to continue efforts to curb and control the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, for the benefit of all of you, the government has decided to extend the order to control the movement. recovery until December 31 “. , 2020. ”
He also emphasized that no person will be exempted from these laws and anyone who violates the regulations will be penalized.
Mr. Muhyiddin expressed his support for the Ministry of Health (MINSA) to increase the fines for those who violate these laws to double or triple the current amounts.
The prime minister also noted that the extension will ensure that all parties adhere to the standard operating procedures and health protocols that have been outlined.
He added that foreign tourists are still prohibited from entering Malaysia during this period to prevent the spread of imported cases into the country.
READ: COVID-19 Mutation That Is ’10 Times’ More Infectious Detected In Malaysia – Director General Of Health
Almost all sectors were allowed to resume operations, except for nightclubs and entertainment venues, the prime minister said.
All sports activities are allowed, without the presence of foreign spectators or participants, he added.
As of Friday, Malaysia reported a total of 9,306 COVID-19 cases and 125 deaths. About 97 percent of the patients have recovered.
A total of 10 new cases were detected on Friday, the Health Ministry said.
READ: Comment – With COVID-19 under control, the worst is over for Malaysia’s economy
The MCO, first imposed on March 18 to control the spread of COVID-19, was previously extended three times through May 12.
It was initially enforced when the number of new daily cases saw an alarming triple-digit increase. Under the MCO, domestic and international travel were banned and people were encouraged to stay home to break the chain of infection.
After six weeks of economic inactivity, Malaysia became a “conditional MCO” as of May 4, allowing the reopening of almost all economic sectors.
Subsequently, the controls continued to rise over time. Nurseries, hair salons, beauty salons, open markets and night markets received the green light to reopen.
Malaysia subsequently entered the RMCO phase as of June 10, where almost all social, educational, religious and commercial activities, as well as economic sectors, reopened in phases, with standard operating procedures to be followed. Interstate travel was also allowed while the country’s borders remained closed.
Four months of efforts seemed to have paid off, as Malaysia began reporting a mostly single-digit increase in daily new cases, and even zero local transmission within a few days, until new clusters emerged.
Based on 13 new clusters detected during the RMCO phase, Muhyiddin had previously reminded Malaysians to abide by social distancing rules and warned the public not to be complacent.
On August 3, Malaysia’s Chief Minister (Security Group) Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the wearing of face masks was mandatory in crowded public areas, including markets, supermarkets, tourist areas, cinemas and public transport.
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