Several economic sectors in Malaysia will be reopened from Monday (May 4), but they must adhere to strict conditions, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on (May 1) in his Labour Day message to the nation.
On the live broadcast on Friday, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin stated: “With advice from the Ministry of Health, based on data collected, and protocol outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), the government has decided to open its economic sectors carefully, while implementing stringent health standard operating procedures (SOP),”
Malaysia first imposed the movement control order (MCO) on March 18 and extended it three times until May 12th, to curb the spread of covid-19 in Malaysia.
As of 1st of May, there are a total of 6,002 confirmed cases, of which 4,171 or 69.5 percent have recovered.
“Almost all economic sectors and business activities will be allowed to operate from Monday (May 4), depending on the protocols and SOP stated by the authorities”.
However, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin explained that some industries and business activities will remain closed to avoid mass gatherings, where social distancing is challenging to execute.
They include movies, karaoke lounges, reflexology centres, night pubs, Ramadan bazaars, Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaars, sale carnivals, conferences and exhibitions. Furthermore, sports activities which involve physical contact and huge gatherings will not be able to proceed.
They include rugby, football and all indoor sports. Meanwhile, outdoor activities such as tennis, golf, walking, running in small groups with not more than ten people, will be allowed
Explaining this as the “conditional movement control order (MCO)”, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin said that restaurants, with enough space to maintain social distancing between costumers, will be allowed to open.
He did reaffirm that religious activities such as Friday prayers and other prayers in gathering in mosques will not be permitted. He also added that there is no allowance for returning to hometowns for the coming Aidilfitri celebration or other interstate travels.
Mr Muhyiddin Yassin also said that schools and other institutions of higher learning would remain closed.
He said “A full list of activities that will is prohibited will be reflected on the National Security Council website.
The Prime Minister said South-east Asia’s third-biggest economy suffered RM 2.4 billion ($800 million) losses daily during the MCO, with total estimated losses currently is RM 63 billion. Another RM 35 billion will be added if the MCO is extended.