Kelantan seeks return of MCO 1.0-style lockdown

 

The Kelantan government has urged the government to enforce strict movement restrictions in the state - similar to that implemented last year - to curb the spread of Covid-19.

A well-placed source told Malaysiakini that the state government had sought such curbs last month, but the proposal was rejected by the federal government due to its impact on the economy.

“However, because the Covid-19 situation in Kelantan is very worrying over the past weeks, where our hospital and quarantine facilities are in a critical state, we appealed against the decision several days ago.

“We are seeking (movement restrictions) that will last two weeks - from May 7 until May 20,” said the source.

According to the source, the federal government hasn’t provided any sort of feedback.

On March 18 until April 30 last year, the movement control order (MCO) was enforced, limiting travel for food, medicine and essential service purposes only. There was also a single-occupant vehicle rule.

During this period, most businesses were forced to be shuttered.

A slightly more relaxed version of the MCO - which allowed schools and most businesses to stay open - was introduced in January in certain regions and in Kelantan last month.

According to the source, the Kelantan chapter of the National Security Council has deliberated on the state government’s appeal.

“Kelantan has had two weeks of MCO. However, the new Covid-19 cases are not going down because most economic activities are operating as usual.

“A ‘lockdown’, such as the one seen last year, will ensure most sectors remain closed and limit movements, unlike now,” said the source.

Malaysiakini is contacting senior minister (security cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the state government for further details.

Over the past 14 days, Kelantan has averaged 462 new Covid-19 cases daily. Hospitals are at saturation point, prompting the state government to build a field hospital and set up a new quarantine centre. - Mkini