The Movement Control Order(MCO) 3.0 has begun as per the announcement made by our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He stated that MCO 3.0 will be in effect until 7th June, 2021 or until further notice.
According to Muhyiddin, the decision was made due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent weeks.
However, Malaysians have been perplexed by the new SOPs and are unsure which SOP to follow. On that note, here are a few details Malaysians should be aware of during this time.
- Inter-district and interstate travel is prohibited, except for emergencies, health, work, economy, vaccination appointments, and long-distance couples.
- All forms of social gatherings are prohibited, including kenduri, weddings, engagements, doa selamat, tahlil, dinner events, birthday parties, and official functions for the government and private sectors.
- All sports and recreational activities are prohibited, with the exception of individual sports and recreation in open areas such as jogging, cycling while maintaining a proper physical distance.
- All educational institutions will be closed. Students who will be taking international exams are granted exceptions. Childcare centres, nurseries, and kindergartens are permitted to operate in accordance with the SOPs to assist parents or guardians in their work.
- The number of passengers in private vehicles, taxis, and e-hailing services is limited to three (including the driver). The number of people permitted in the vehicle transporting goods as well as the chain of economic/industrial activities is determined by the number permitted in the commercial vehicle registration license. The number of people allowed on public transportation must adhere to physical distancing and established SOPs.
- There will be no dine-in service. Restaurants and F&B outlets in MCO districts are only permitted to offer takeout, drive-thru, and delivery (till 12am only).
- Work-from-home (WFH) policies are now mandatory. Only a maximum of 30% of management staff is permitted in the office at the given time. WFH policy for the public sector is determined by guidelines issued from time to time by the Chief Secretary to the Government.
- House visits are not permitted during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
- Aidilfitri prayers are permitted with a maximum of 50 people present in mosques and suraus that can accommodate more than 1,000 people, and 20 people in mosques and suraus that can accommodate fewer than 1,000 people. A similar limit applies to solat fardhu (obligatory prayers) and Friday prayers.
- Non-Muslim houses of worship operations will also be tightened. The SOPs are set by the Ministry of National Unity.
- Specific measures are still being implemented in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
Additional information;
- Laundromats, optical shops, car wash services, barbershops, and hair salons (only for hair cutting) can be open from 6am to 10pm.
- Seminars, workshops, courses, conferences, talks, exhibitions, and activities associated with meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) are prohibited.
- Petrol stations are permitted to operate from 6am to 10pm, with the exception of those located along highways, which may operate 24 hours a day.
- Those with vaccination appointments are permitted to travel inter-district to vaccination centres.
Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, on the other hand stated that the latest COVID-19 restrictions in Malaysia are not as extreme as the first lockdown because the government sees the need to balance health and livelihoods.
During a joint press conference in Putrajaya with Health Ministry Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the minister stated that many businesses struggled to survive and pay their employees during the March lockdown, called Movement Control Order (MCO) 1.0.
As a result, MCO 3.0 is less rigid than 1.0, allowing us to strike a balance between the needs of people’s livelihoods and the healthcare system.
Source: Hype, CNA Insider
