MCO - life in 'green' and 'red' zones might be vastly different

CORONAVIRUS | Any relaxation of movement control order (MCO) rules will likely be locality-based, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

While stressing that the relaxation of rules remained a huge "maybe", Ismail said it was being considered by the National Security Council and the Home Ministry.

For instance, he said rules might be relaxed in "green zones" - districts with zero Covid-19 cases.

"Red zones" are defined as districts with 40 cases and above. "Orange zones" are those with anything in between.

Ismail said the government was considering many factors before any relaxation of rules was announced.

"Maybe we might allow factories in green zones to reopen. But can an employee from a red zone work there?" said Ismail, as an example of the questions being considered by the government.

What was certain, said Ismail, was that the rules for "red zones" would definitely be tightened.

Ismail was responding to a question from a reporter who asked if the government would relax rules for hair salons and hardware shops.

Hardware shops are only allowed to open on Mondays and Thursdays.

Ismail said that even if the MCO is lifted, new rules would likely be imposed to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 infections.

Meanwhile, Ismail said that the daily number of people arrested for MCO violations yesterday amounted to 403 while the number of people charged in court was 537.

He said between March 18 and April 6, the police have arrested 6,451 individuals.

He also said the national crime index has dropped by 70 percent since the start of the MCO. - Mkini