“Our healthcare is at a breaking point,” Prime Minister Muhyiddin explained in a national address announcing the new restrictions.

Updated January 13. Malaysia’s movement control order (MCO) was reintroduced in five states and all federal territories, while six more states will remain under the conditional movement control order (CMCO) with effect from January 13, following Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement earlier in the week.

In a special address to the country on January 11, the prime minister said both the renewed MCO and CMCO will run until at least until January 26.

Muhyiddin explained that the Covid-19 pandemic was starting to overwhelm the country’s major public hospitals, 15 of which he said were nearing their maximum capacity.

Selangor, Penang, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan were placed under the MCO beginning at 12:01am, Wednesday, January 13.

The six other states, with the exception of Perlis and Sarawak, were placed under the CMCO. Perlis and Sarawak, meanwhile, fall under the recovery movement control order (RMCO).

Much like the original MCO – indeed, netizens are already calling this “MCO 2.0” – movement is restricted to a 10-km radius from a person’s home, and only two from a household are permitted to leave the house and travel in the same vehicle at any one time for the purpose of buying necessities from supermarkets or sundry shops.

“The Health Ministry will make continuous assessments to determine whether the MCO will be extended before the end of these two weeks,” Muhyiddin said.

DETAILS

::: MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (MCO) :::

STATES/TERRITORIES: Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan, Melaka, Johor, and Sabah

DURATION: 14 days from Jan 13 (12.01am) to Jan 26

RESTRICTIONS:
• No interstate and interdistrict travels.
• No social gatherings, such as weddings, wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions (including Thaipusam), meetings, seminars, courses, and group sport activities.
• Roadblocks will be mounted; movements limited to 10km radius to people in a vehicle.
• Only two people per household allowed to head out to purchase groceries at nearby supermarkets or grocery stores.
• Only two people allowed per vehicle
• Anyone who violates these rulings will be subjected to a maximum fine of RM1,000 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342)
• Only five essential economic sectors allowed to operate: manufacturing; construction; service; trade and distribution; and plantations and commodities.
• Only 30 per cent of workers within a company’s management group are allowed to go in to office; employers to determine number of employees permitted in office at any one time (taking into consideration standard operating procedures compliance)
• Ensure total adherence to SOP, observe physical distancing at all times.
• Non-essential services staff to work from home; employers must comply with this ruling.
• Eateries and hawker stalls may operate but only take-aways allowed.
• Food delivery serviced allowed.
• Supermarkets, healthcare services (including clinics, hospitals and pharmacies), banks allowed to operate with strict SOP compliance: always wear masks; use hand sanitizer frequently; observe physical distancing at all times.
• Stay at home if there is no immediate or urgent need to head out.

STUDENTS: Candidates due to sit for SPM in 2020 and 2021 are allowed to attend school with strict SOP. Education Ministry will detail this SOP.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES: Only a maximum of five mosque/houses of worship committee members allowed at these premises.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
• Outdoor recreational activities allowed among people within same household.
• Individuals must keep two-meter distance at all times.
• No more than two people allowed to jog at any one time.
• Cycling not allowed in groups; only one person allowed.

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::: CONDITIONAL MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (CMCO) :::

STATES: Pahang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan

DURATION: 14 days from Jan 13 (12.01am) to Jan 26

RESTRICTIONS:
• No interstate travels.
• No social gatherings, such as weddings, wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions (including Thaipusam), meetings, seminars, courses, and group sport activities.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES: Allowed with the minimum number of attendees stipulated in the SOP to ensure physical distancing. State religious authorities are advised to provide appropriate guideline in determining the number of attendees allowed.