[11 January 2021]
An updated ruling for MCO, CMCO and RMCO has been announced by the Malaysian government, from 13 January to 26 January with renewed SOP sets – to reduce and hopefully stop the infectivity COVID-19 rate from rising even further.
[12 January 2021]
His Majesty The King, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has agreed to proclaim a State of Emergency nationwide until 1 August 2021, to control the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
What should I know in the next 14 days?
1. Which states are under the MCO, CMCO, RMCO?
According to the National Security Council, an updated list of SOP has been published – involving areas that are still under MCO, CMCO and RMCO.
Which areas are still under MCO (Movement Control Order) from 13 Jan to 26 Jan 2021?
Penang
Selangor
Kuala Lumpur
Putrajaya
Labuan
Melaka
Johor
Sabah
Which areas are still under CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order) from 13 Jan to 26 Jan 2021?
Pahang
Perak
Negeri Sembilan
Kedah
Terengganu
Kelantan
Which areas are still under RMCO (Recovery Movement Control Order) from 13 Jan to 26 Jan 2021?
Perlis
Sarawak
2.Will inter-district and interstate travel be restricted?
MCO
Yes. Travelling within inter-district and interstate between MCO areas is prohibited.
Roadblocks will be enforced, movements limited to 10KM radius to people in a vehicle.
Only two people from one household in a car to purchase essential items such as groceries and medicine.
CMCO/RMCO
Interstate travelling is prohibited, but inter-district is allowed.
Public transport was allowed to operate at full capacity as long as it followed the government’s directions and the Ministry of Health.
Roadblocks will be implemented from 13 January, which will be mounted at all districts and state borders.
3. Which industries are part of the essential economic sectors?
Manufacturing, construction, service, trade and distribution, as well as plantations and commodities, are allowed to operate during the MCO period.
However, only 30% of employees in the management level are allowed to be at the office and employers are to determine the number of employees permitted in the office at any one time.
Please contact the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) for more details. Companies that are not listed under the essential economic sectors, must comply with the work from home order.
4.Can families and friends still enjoy eating out or shopping?
MCO
No, eateries and hawker stalls are allowed to operate but only for takeaway services.
All business premises have to check that customers check-in using their MySejahtera app or manually write their name and contact number down and not allow patrons with body temperature above 37.5 degrees celsius to enter premises.
Grocers, shopping malls, retail stores, laundromats, night markets and other businesses for daily necessities are open to the public under strict SOP compliance.
Food deliveries such as GrabFood and FoodPanda can be done from 6 AM till 12 midnight.
CMCO/RMCO
Pubs remain closed nationwide.
Operation hours are allowed up till midnight and no more than that.
Yes, there will not be a capacity limit for dining in, but high-risk individuals and children are still not encouraged to head out to the public and are advised to avoid crowded areas.
Please be aware that there must be a 1-metre distance between patrons when dining; for example, a table of 10 maybe 7 people can sit.
Operation hours are allowed up till midnight and no more than that.
5.Can the public enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and sports? MCO
Only people living in the same household can join outdoor and indoor recreational activities.
There must be 2-meter social distancing for all recreational activities.
No more than two people are allowed to jog at any time.
Non-contact recreational activities are not allowed in groups; for example, only 1 person is allowed for cycling.
CMCO/RMCO
Yes, the public can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, but only those without physical contact are allowed.
There must be 1 – 3 metre social distancing for static activities, and 3 – 5 metre distance for dynamic activities.
Both activities must only be groups of less than 10 people.
Sports facilities are restricted to ONLY training activities that do not involve physical contact.
User capacities for all outdoor and indoor facilities and attractions should not exceed 50% of the total capacity limit.
6.How about other kinds of activities?
MCO
No social gatherings are allowed, such as weddings, conferences, religious progression, meetings, seminars, courses.
CMCO
No social gatherings are allowed, such as weddings, conferences, religious progression, meetings, seminars, courses.
Religious activities are allowed with the minimum number of attendees stipulated in the SOP to ensure social distancing.
State religious authorities are advised to provide strict guidelines in determining the minimum number of attendees.
RMCO
Large-scale gatherings such as feasts, receptions, birthday celebrations, reunions, retreats, and other social events are not allowed.
Wedding ceremonies are allowed with a maximum of 30 people – it is also dependant on the size of space.
Religious activities are allowed with the minimum number of attendees stipulated in the SOP to ensure social distancing.
7.What are the penalties if anyone breaks the MCO, CMCO and RMCO rules in Malaysia?
If anyone is found violating the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020, you will be fined RM1,000 or up to six months imprisonment or both.
If you obstruct a public official; either a police officer, medical personal, public servants of various agencies, or local council officers who are enforcing the CMCO ruling, you can face up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to RM10,000 or both under Section 186 of the Penal Code.
The penalty for breaching the CMCO regulations are the same for those under RMCO.
8.What are the latest SOPS you need to follow?
Please follow the SOPs set by the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health.
Wear a mask to protect yourself and stop the COVID-19 spread.
Take care of your hygiene – often change clothes.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Stay at least 6 feet from others – in public and workspaces if you are not working from home.
Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you will be exposed to COVID-19.
Measure your temperature before entering any establishment.
Use hand sanitisers as you travel in public transportation.
9.What are the symptoms if you are affected with COVID-19?
Do remember, if you were exposed to COVID-19, it takes up to 5–6 days for symptoms to show. However, it can take up to 14 days, and the virus affects differently to different people.
Most common symptoms;
fever
dry cough
tiredness
Less common symptoms;
aches and pains
sore throat
diarrhoea
conjunctivitis
headache
loss of taste or smell
a rash on the skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.
Most serious symptoms;
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
chest pain or pressure
loss of speech or movement
Seek immediate medical attention if you have the above symptoms by calling firsthand before visiting the nearest health facility who will handle COVID-19 cases.
10.What is Malaysia’s status concerning the vaccine?
As of January 11th, the Malaysian government signed a deal to buy an additional 12.2 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by U.S. and German drugmakers Pfizer–BioNTech.
11.What about the State of Emergency declaration?
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin assured the country that there will be no curfews or military rule under the emergency order in place until 1 August 2021.
Cabinet, state executive councils and government services will continue to function as usual.
The King can make the necessary decrees to tackle the pandemic, including ordering private healthcare facilities to be taken over by the government if public hospitals are stretched.
Follow the MCO/CMCO/RMCO rules, practice the SOP and stay safe.
By following the SOPs, your diligence expresses your heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the healthcare workers working in the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Let’s face 2021 by staying safe, practising our SOPs and taking care of one another.
Remember #kitajagakita, so let us continue to flatten that curve!
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