[ad_1]
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported 122 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday (May 3), bringing the total to 6,298 infections.
It marks the third day in a row that the case count has risen again, just as the government prepares to ease movement restrictions.
Ad
The health ministry also reported two more deaths, bringing the total number of deaths from the outbreak to 105.
READ: COVID-19: Malaysia will open ‘almost all’ economic sectors from May 4 with health protocols, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin
READ: Malaysia’s economy could shrink more than previous forecasts, says finance minister
Of the new cases, 52 were imported, the ministry said on Twitter.
Ad
One of the patients who died was an 82-year-old man who also had high blood pressure and heart disease.
The other patient, a 64-year-old man, had a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Friday that most of the country’s economic sectors will open from May 4, with established 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.
Sports activities involving body contact and mass gatherings will not be allowed. These include soccer, rugby, swimming in public areas, and all indoor sports.
Outdoor activities such as badminton, tennis, cycling, golf and running in small groups with no more than 10 people will be allowed.
READ: “It’s a nightmare”: residents quarantined in Malaysia’s red zone COVID-19 concerned about access to health care and fresh food supplies
The Malaysian Movement Control Order (MCO) has been in effect since March 18 and has been extended three times until May 12.
The decision to ease the restrictions sparked criticism in some quarters.
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.
Malaysia’s finance minister said Saturday that Malaysia’s economy in 2020 could shrink more than initially anticipated due to the extended MCO imposed to curb COVID-19.
Malaysia’s central bank had projected growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in April of between -2% and 0.5% this year.
The government will also announce an economic recovery plan later this month, the minister added.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
