Kelantan introduces tougher rules compared to Putrajaya, SOPs from former MCO

 

The Kelantan government is enforcing stricter rules compared to what was announced by the federal government under the third movement control order (MCO 3.0).

The Kelantan government is instead now implementing rules taken from earlier versions of the MCO.

This includes limiting to two the number of people who can travel in a vehicle. However, this can be increased to three for special circumstances, such as the need to ferry a patient.

Officially, this rule is not in the National Security Council's standard operating procedures for MCO 3.0. It was, however, a common rule in earlier, stricter versions of the MCO.

Under the NSC's MCO 3.0 SOPs, there is no limit to the number of people who can travel in a vehicle. Travellers are allowed to fill a vehicle to its maximum capacity.

Kelantan exco in charge of local government, housing and health Dr Izani Husin said the state government didn't want too many people travelling in a vehicle.

"This decision was previously used in earlier MCOs and only allowed two people in a vehicle except for ferrying a patient, then it can be three," he told a press conference at the Kompleks Kota Darulnaim in Kota Bharu today.

Kelantan was also the only state where Ramadan bazaars were not allowed to operate throughout the Ramadan fasting month even though the default position of the federal government was to allow them even in areas under an MCO.

Seven out of 10 Kelantan districts was put under a full MCO on April 16. This was expanded state-wide on April 22.

Kelantan also wants the 30 percent cap on people working in an office to be applied to both the private sector and civil service.

"The (state) government decided only 30 percent of workers in an office for both the civil service and private sector beginning Sunday.

"The rest can work from home. Those who are allowed to work from home must ensure that they are really working and not going out to public spaces," said Izani.

Under Putrajaya's MCO 3.0 rule, the 30 percent cap applies to management staff in the private sector while civil servants will follow circulars issued by the civil service from time to time.

Kelantan's move to introduce tougher rules compared to what is mandated by Putrajaya came after the federal government rejected the state government's request to implement a stricter form of an MCO.

Kelantan had wanted the same MCO as the one imposed the first time last year, which saw many businesses closed.

However, this was rejected by Putrajaya which was concerned about the economic implications.

Under MCO 3.0, most businesses are still operational.

Kelantan's request came amidst rising Covid-19 cases in the state.

In the last weeks, the majority of Covid-19 cases in the country stem from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Kelantan. - Mkini