No Carpools, Limited Operation Hours For Businesses, Transport: MCO Phase 2

Businesses, including food delivery, can only operate from 8am to 8pm, while all transport, except for commercial transport, can only operate from 6am to 10pm.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — The government today announced Phase 2 of the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) that prohibits passengers in private vehicles, and limited operation hours for markets, restaurants, and transport.

Senior Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said under Phase 2 of the MCO, which will be in effect on April 1 amid the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia, markets and supermarkets, restaurants and eateries, gas stations, and food delivery services can only operate from 8am to 8pm.

“We advise the public not to meet those delivering food. We encourage that food be left at the gate, the food delivery can make a phone call to the house, and the house owner can come out and get the food once it is delivered,” Ismail Sabri told a press conference. “We want to prevent face-to-face meetings.”

Public transport, e-hailing services, taxis, and private transport will only be allowed to operate from 6am to 10pm; Ismail Sabri did not state how many passengers are allowed in e-hailing vehicles and cabs.

Private vehicles can only carry one person — the driver — unless in cases of emergency.

Commercial transport carrying essential goods like food and medical supplies are encouraged to operate from 7pm to 7am.

“This is encouraged; it is not an instruction,” Ismail Sabri said. “We find that some vehicles travel for long hours, like from Johor to Perlis, so we have agreed to give an exemption, even though we encourage them to operate at night.”

Recreational and social activities are prohibited in public and private areas, including gated residences. Those with autism and people with disabilities are, however, allowed to get therapy as advised by experts, but this is not allowed in groups.

The minister stressed that Phase 2 of the MCO differed from the total lockdown in several areas containing Covid-19 clusters in Hulu Langat, Selangor, and Simpang Renggam in Kluang, Johor, that are under an Enhanced MCO (EMCO). Residents in several villages there are not allowed to leave their homes.

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