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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported 105 new coronavirus cases on Saturday (May 2) as the number of daily cases tripled again, a maximum of two weeks.
This brings the count of COVID-19 cases in the country to 6,176.
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Of the new infections, 11 were imported cases and 94 came from local transmissions, chief health officer Noor Hisham Abdullah said at a press conference.
He added that 116 more patients have recovered and were discharged on Saturday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,326.
Thirty-one cases are being treated in the intensive care unit, and 12 of them require ventilation.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Friday a reduction in COVID-19 restrictions, allowing most economic sectors to open since May 4 with health protocols.
Businesses like cinemas, karaoke rooms and Ramadan bazaars will remain closed as social distancing would be difficult to enforce in activities involving mass gatherings.
READ: COVID-19: Malaysia will open ‘almost all’ economic sectors from May 4 with health protocols, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin
The decision to ease the restrictions drew criticism from some quarters, including members of the ruling coalition.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose UMNO political party is part of the ruling coalition, said the easing of the measures was “huge and sudden” and that there was no rush to reopen the economy, local media reported.
A Change.org petition to stop the partial lifting of the measures had obtained more than 250,000 signatures on Saturday.
The authorities emphasized that the movement control order is still in force and that measures will be taken against those who violate the rules.
Religious activities such as Friday prayers and congregation in mosques will not be allowed.
Interstate travel, including returning to home cities for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration, is not yet allowed. Schools and institutions of higher education will remain closed.
Chief Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Saturday that Malaysia was not in a hurry to relax the restrictions, stressing that companies that will reopen on Monday should implement hygiene and social distancing measures.
He also urged residents to do their part, warning that the fight against COVID-19 is far from over.
“This is the new normal, even if the MCO (movement control order) comes to an end, you must maintain social distance and wash your hands with soap and water to protect our health and safety,” he said.
The movement control order, executed since March 18, has been extended three times until May 12.
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