Partial lockdown: Most businesses need to close from Wednesday

CORONAVIRUS | Putrajaya has imposed an order that will limit public movement from March 18 until March 31, in a bid to slow down the spread of the deadly Covid-19.

The order will involve the following:

1. A ban on all mass gatherings, including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.

All business premises will have to close, except supermarkets, wet markets, grocery shops and convenience stores.

2. All Malaysians are banned from travelling abroad while Malaysians returning from abroad will have to undergo health screenings and undergo self-quarantine for 14 days.

3. Entry restrictions for foreign tourists and visitors.

4. The suspension of all schools and learning institutions.

5. All higher learning institutions and skill training centres will have to close.

6. All government and private premises must close except for essential services - water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal services, transport, maritime, fuel, gas, lubricants, broadcast, financial services, banking, healthcare, pharmacies, fire and rescue, jails, ports, airports, security, defence, cleaning and supplying of food.

Announcing this today, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (photo) said he was aware that these measures would cause public inconvenience.

"However, these measures are necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19 which could potentially cost lives," he said.

The announcement also said that work from home arrangements for the civil service and private sector should be encouraged, except for essential services.

Among others, the announcement stated that all public gathering venues, such as places of worship, cinemas and entertainment centres, are to be closed. All these places must also be sanitised.

Muhyiddin also said that all public transport networks will remain open and subjected to sanitisation works.

The prime minister said the number of Covid-19 infections had risen exponentially around the world.

"Certainly, brothers and sisters, you do not want the same to happen here," he said.

Muhyiddin said Malaysians could not wait for the situation to get worse and drastic measures were necessary to curb the spread of the virus.

He urged Malaysians to be patient in facing this challenge and not panic.

"I believe that these measures taken by the government will stop the spread of the virus soon," he said.

He said other countries such as China has taken drastic measures and it had helped reduce the number of infections.

Muhyiddin promised that food supplies, necessities and face masks will be sufficient during this period.

"I urge my brothers and sisters to always obey this order on the regulation of movements.

"This is our joint responsibility and we must do it together, for our families, society and country," he said.

Muhyiddin also said he would chair the National Security Council meeting every day, monitor the situation and provide periodical updates.

The text of Muhyiddin's speech is as follows:

 - Mkini