Several states are set to be placed under a Movement Control Order (MCO) starting this Wednesday (January 13th) until January 26th.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said they are Penang, Selangor, the Federal Territories, Melaka, Johor, and Sabah.
Meanwhile, a Conditional MCO (CMCO) will be enforced in Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan.
He added that Perlis and Sarawak will be under a Recovery MCO (RMCO).
Tan Sri Muhyiddin said the Health Ministry (MOH) will conduct risk assessments to decide whether the MCO in high-risk states will be extended before the two-week period ends.
During this time, interstate travel will not be allowed nationwide, while inter-district travel will be banned in areas under the MCO.
Supermarkets, clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, as well as banks are allowed to operate.
Eateries and hawker stalls are allowed to operate, but only for take-away services in MCO areas.
Both are allowed to operate as usual, adhering to strict SOPs set for CMCO and RMCO areas.
Earlier, the Health Ministry said all Cabinet ministers must undergo COVID-19 testing.
This is after two ministers tested positive for the coronavirus - Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, along with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has agreed to purchase another 12 million doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
The new deal will be enough to vaccinate almost 40% of the population.
Selangor is planning to obtain up to 5 million coronavirus vaccines for its residents.
Its Menteri Besar said it’s to vaccinate the state’s many industrial workers, including foreign ones.
Also, more than 100,000 foreign workers have undergone COVID-19 testing, as of yesterday (January 10th).
The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) has urged employers to get their workers tested soon, at over 570 participating clinics.
Let's hope this two-week MCO is enough to flatten the curve! Stay safe, guys!
by Elle Firdouz
