KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Senior Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today clarified the different levels of localised lockdown measures in the country.
To date, the government has introduced different levels of the Movement Control Order (MCO) since March 18, with the latest MCO 4 superseded by the current Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) from today until May 12, but there is confusion about what kind of MCO applies to “red” Covid-19 districts, as designated by the Ministry of Health (MOH) with over 40 coronavirus cases.
“As I mentioned, our focus now is on targeted areas. If we look back, Petaling is of course considered a red zone, because two areas are red–Sri Petaling is red and Lembah Pantai is red,” said Ismail Sabri at a press conference today.
“But our focus isn’t like before, not around Petaling, but in areas that are identified. And if there is a sudden increase in cases, we will enforce administrative MCO before CMCO, and if there is an increase in cases again, then we will enforce EMCO (Enhanced Movement Control Order).”
As of today, there are 10 red zones nationwide.
The government also announced that interstate travel will be permitted starting tomorrow, May 7, for four days.
Interstate travel will be allowed for those stranded outside of Kuala Lumpur (KL) to travel back to KL, and for those with family members, such as children who were left in hometowns in other states, to make a journey in order to bring them back to KL.
As some journeys may be lengthy, travellers are allowed to spend a day or two in their hometowns before making the journey back to KL according to the schedules set by the government.
The schedules for interstate travel back to KL are as follows:
May 8: from Perak, Johor, Kelantan
May 9: from Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Melaka, Pahang
May 10: from Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu
Citizens are advised to utilise Gerak Malaysia app for interstate travel.
Ismail Sabri emphasised that interstate movement has to be continuous without stops, except for bathroom breaks.
Food stalls, restaurants and surau at rest stations will remain closed throughout the interstate travel period, but gas stations along the highways will be open from 6:00am to 12:00am during this time.
“Authorities will be placed at rest stations to make sure that these rules or SOP are followed,” said Ismail Sabri.
He also added that the Royal Police Malaysia (PDRM) will release a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) for Gerak Malaysia shortly.
