MCO phase 2: Essential services FAQ by NSC

CORONAVIRUS | The second phase of the movement control order saw some confusion regarding essential services, after a federal gazette on Tuesday published a more simplified and condensed list of key sectors allowed to operate during the order period.

Because of the condensed list, some media outlets had reported that several previously approved services, including customs, immigration, prisons and fire and rescue department, had been removed as essential services.

The National Security Council today released an updated FAQ, which addresses the confusion and also notes some additions to the condensed list which was gazetted yesterday.

Question: Are there additional sectors allowed to operate during MCO phase 2 following the new gazette?

Following the new gazette which came into force on April 3, the list of essential services allowed to operate during MCO phase 2 are as follows:

1. Food

2. Water

3. Energy

4. Communications and internet

5. Security and defence

6. Solid waste management, public cleaning and sewerage

7. Healthcare and medicine, including dietary supplements

8. Banking and finance.

9. E-commerce

10. Land, water, and air transportation.

11. Port services and management, shipyards and airports, including loading, cargo management, and piloting as well as storage and bulking of commodities.

12. Production, distillation, storage, supply, and distribution of fuels and lubricants.

13. Hotels and accommodation

14. Whatever services or work determined by the minister as essential or critical to health and public safety.

15. Logistics limited to servicing essential services.

Question: Other essential services such as broadcasting, media, postal, fire fighters, prisons, immigration, and customs are not in the 15 essential services allowed to operate during MCO phase 2. Petrol stations are also not listed. Are all these services not operating during MCO phase 2?

All essential services listed during the MCO are still allowed to operate but operating hours have been tightened.

Several services not listed have been included in new categories, for example, broadcast, postal and media are categorised as communication.

Meanwhile, fire fighters, prisons, immigration and customs are categorised as security and defence.

Petrol stations fall under the energy category. - Mkini