SPECIAL TASK !!!

 PM Declares MCO 2.0

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin speaking on the extension of MCO

PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister had said in the upcoming two weeks, movement restriction order is imposed once again starting from January 13 to January 26.

The MCO however is not nationwide and have be segregated into three different levels.

Conditional MCO will be enforced in Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan while MCO will be enforced in Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan, Melaka, Johor and Sabah. Only Perlis and Sarawak will be under recovery MCO.

To reduce the risk of Covid-19 infections, certain measures are being enforced. Interstate travel will not be allowed nationwide while in MCO states, inter-district travel is banned. Travel is also restricted to 10km radius from your house. 

Only two person per household is allowed in a vehicle to purchase essential things and roadblocks will be set up starting midnight.

The Prime Minister added that social activities are to follow a strict standard operating procedure (SOP) and can be carried out in RMCO states which is Sarawak and Perlis.

Restaurants and eateries in MCO states can operate but only takeaway service while in RMCO and CMCO states, restaurants can operate as per normal provided they follow the SOPs.

Food delivery service are permitted while supermarkets, clinics and banks are allowed to operate as per usual. The Prime Minister assured that food supply would be sufficient and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry would monitor the supply of essential items such as rice, white bread, hand sanitizer and face masks. 

Muhyiddin announced that exemption would be given to examination candidates who would allowed to be in school with strict SOP even though movement is restricted especially in MCO areas. 

Muhyiddin is well aware of the isolation that could affect mental health and therefore allowed public to leave their house for exercise but only with their family members. 

'Physical distancing must be practiced and if you want to go for a jog, it should not be more than two people. If you are to go cycling, avoid doing it in a group', said Muhyiddin. 

The Prime Minister called on community leaders to look after their communities and protect them from Covid-19 as they are the frontliners in their community. 

The next two weeks would be crucial because it involves sacrificing freedom and isolating oneself to help save lives. Muhyiddin reminded that the virus is now in the community and they should not neglect the safety measures such as using face masks, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently. 

Malaysia first recorded four-digit cases daily on September 24, 2020 and has now recorded the highest number on January 7 with 3027 cases.

The situation is very becoming and the healthcare system of the country is now under great pressure compared to the beginning of the pandemic. 

Muhyiddin said the ministry would make continuous risk evaluations to state if the MCO will end or needs to be extended. 

Here are two views from the public: 

Adriel Ivan, 18

'I believe the MCO is our only choice. The situation has already worsen and cases are increasing tremendously everyday. It may be painful but we have to abide with the law if we want to fight against Covid-19. Personally I feel that the situation worsen when they allowed inter-state travels. Literally everyone was travelling in and out as if Covid is no longer there. I hope that fellow Malaysians will not rebel but adhere to the SOPs stated if they want to get over this situation as soon as possible.' 

 

Crispuz Raj,

'In my point of view, this is our new norm. A lot of us are struggling in various aspects such as education, family and even in business and people need to find a solution to fit in or they are gonna be left out. This is also a step of humanity moving into a new civilization. On the MCO, as far as I am concerned, the government really messed up and we are paying a price for it. It came to a point where the King had to issue a curfew. It will be tough but it's all for the better'.