Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the government will enforce a conditional movement control order beginning May 4 to ease the partial lockdown implemented in March to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a special address, he said certain economic and social activities will be allowed except for mass gatherings which would expose the public to Covid-19 infections.

• Beginning May 4, almost all economic sectors will be allowed to open with conditions.
• businesses involving crowds such as cinemas, night clubs, entertainment centres, bazaars and exhibitions would not be allowed.
• Sports activities that involve close contacts such as football, rugby, swimming and indoor sports will not be allowed, although outdoor activities that do not involve close contact or mass gatherings will be permitted. Outdoor badminton and tennis will be allowed, as will jogging, cycling, golf and running in small groups of not more than 10.
• Schools will remain closed and interstate travel will still be barred except for work purposes.
• Members of the public are also prohibited from travelling across states to return to their home towns for Raya.
• Religious activities and gatherings including Friday prayers and gatherings at houses of worship will not be allowed.
• From Monday onwards, customers will be allowed to eat in at restaurants. However, tables must be placed two metres apart with the number of customers limited based on table size. Restaurants must also register the names of all customers, to enable contact tracing if someone tests positive for Covid-19. They must also ensure the one-metre social distancing rule is observed at the cashier by placing a line on the floor. Hand sanitiser must be provided at payment counters and enough soap supplied at sinks.
• Workers meanwhile must wear face masks and, if possible, take the temperature of customers.
• In terms of work, he urged employers to allow employees to work from home, and husbands and wives to take turns going to the office.

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Source：freemalaysiatoday & TV1

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The movement control order (MCO) implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country has been extended until May 12, an additional 2 weeks.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said during this period, the government would review the latest data from the health ministry to determine the next step.

“I do not dismiss the possibility that the MCO will be further extended after this. However, if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to drop, the government may relax the restrictions in stages for several sectors, including the social sector. This is to enable people to enjoy a more comfortable life. The National Security Council is coming up with a plan for this.”

Muhyiddin said the government would continue to study the latest data from the health ministry, adding that he was not ruling out a further extension.

This could mean Muslims would not be able to celebrate Hari Raya in their kampungs, and businesses may not be allowed to fully operate yet.

Despite the lower number of cases in the past week, he said, the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 needed to be maintained until authorities were confident the outbreak was under control.

Muhyiddin said Putrajaya was studying how to revive the economy in stages, with short-, mid- and long-term economic recovery plans in the works.

Source: Free Malaysia Today

While the data have been optimistic, we cannot forget to continue the social distancing when the festival holidays are slowly approaching.

Let us #StayHopefulWithIQI with a few articles to help calm the mind:

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Remember, it is times like these where need we keep our heads above the water for the sake of ourselves, our loved ones and our community. Keep calm and carry on the Malaysian spirit as high as you can!

The post Movement Control Order extended until May 12 2020 appeared first on IQI Blog.