Malaysia’s Ministry of Health is recommending the Nasional Security Council to extend the current Recovery Movement Control Order which is scheduled to end on the 31st of August 2020. According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, the recommendation was based on the World Health Organisation’s expectation that the COVID-19 pandemic could last for another 2 years.
The minister added that the two-year period was a long time and various governments have implemented measures including embracing new norms to enable people to understand the need to address the spread of COVID-19. He said that certain countries are still struggling with the increasing number of cases while in Malaysia, we are still strengthening and controlling the country’s entry points and borders well.
Dr Adham Baba said the MOH has made the recommendation to the National Security Council and to the Prime Minister to continue the RMCO until the situation is under control. He said it is up to the Prime Minister to announce the extension.
While Malaysia is doing relatively well compared to other countries, there are several new clusters that have emerged in the past month with high transmission rates. This includes the Sivagangga and Tawar clusters in Kedah which could have been prevented if the public adhere to the SOP.
Malaysia has been placed under Movement Control Order for 159 days since it took effect on 18th March 2020. Under the Recovery Movement Control Order that was announced in June, majority of restrictions have been lifted including the domestic travel within Malaysia. Schools have reopened and most business sectors are permitted to operate with strict SOP.
However, international travel is still not permitted. Recently, both Malaysia and Singapore have began opening its borders but only to selected residents and for essential business or official travel.
RM1,000 compound for breaking quarantine order
When asked about the RM1,000 compound issued to Datuk Dr Khairuddin Razali for failing to comply with home quarantine order, the Minister shared that Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham has already explained the issue on Twitter. He said that the RM1,000 amount is the maximum compound under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act and if the authorities want to bring on additional charges, it is up to them.
As shared by the Nasional Security Council, a total of 27 police reports have been made against the Minister of Plantation, Industries and Commodities. The police has already opened investigation papers on the matter.
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