Just like one of those never-ending TV soap operas, the Movement Control Order (MCO) continues to run, albeit in a different form. The prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin today announces that the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) will now be replaced by the Recovery MCO (RMCO).
The CMCO will end as scheduled on 9 June 2020. The RMCO, on the other hand, will last until 31 August 2020, the longest extension announced since the original MCO.
In a nutshell, the RMCO will see even looser restrictions on business and social activities first implemented during the original MCO that came into effect on 18 March 2020.
“Malaysia has successfully contained the spread of the pandemic and will now enter the recovery phase,” he said.
The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues, as Malaysia heads into a “recovery” stage where the pandemic is controlled but the fight is not yet over.
“Malaysia has successfully contained the spread of the pandemic and will now enter the recovery phase,” he said.
As positive cases still number double digits, the country cannot go into the exit stage just yet.
Looser restrictions
The PM announced that interstate travel will be allowed from 10 June onwards, barring areas that are under enhanced MCO.
Nearly all social activities including religious activities, education and business sectors will be opened in stages.
Commercial activities not performed at business premises are now allowed.
The government had earlier announced that barbershops and beauty salons are allowed to reopen, with strict adherence to SOP including using disposable aprons.
Open air markets, night markets, farmers’ markets, bazaars, food courts, stalls, food trucks and food stalls will be allowed to open.
Pubs, night clubs, entertainment outlets, reflexology, and karaoke centres will remain closed.
Additionally, museums and self-serve laundromats can reopen, as well as activities such as indoor busking, recreational fishing activities and filming will be allowed.
In terms of sporting activities, training and non-contact sports like bowling, badminton, archery, and shooting; outdoor group sports like kayaking and cycling convoys are allowed.
However, competitive sports and games that involve a mass of people such as in stadiums and public pools remain prohibited.
Contact sports like rugby, wrestling, boxing, football, basketball and hockey are still banned.
Local tourism activities will be allowed. However, the country’s borders will remain closed for the time being.
Religious activities such as for the coming Hari Raya Aidiladha will be allowed, subject to SOP from JAKIM. That said, permission to accommodate more worshippers at places of worship is still under consideration. An announcement is expected to be made soon.
Kenduris, open houses and other mass gatherings remain prohibited.
On the subject of schools, the PM said they will reopen in stages throughout RMCO, with the advice from the education ministry.
Meanwhile, senior minister Ismail Sabri announced that starting 10 June, Malaysians returning from overseas will no longer be required to check-in to a quarantine centre. They will be subject to a swab test and if found to be positive, they will be admitted into the hospital. However, if the results are negative, they will need to self-quarantine at home. To add to that, those who return from overseas must download the MySejahtera app and wear a quarantine bracelet.
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