Stricter MCO ahead, says PMO

The National Security Council (NSC) has agreed to tighten restrictions on the economic and social sectors under the current movement control order (MCO) in light of the increase in Covid-19 infections and the emergence of more aggressive strains, the Prime Minister’s Office announced today.

However, it said details of the move would only be announced at a media conference by Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob tomorrow.

It said the special meeting of the NSC today, chaired by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, had seen an in-depth discussion of the Covid-19 situation in the country.

“The meeting studied a presentation by the health ministry on the latest status of Covid-19 cases including the rate of infectivity, health capacity of each state and suggestions for action to control the spread of the virus.

“It also discussed the implementation of MCO 3.0 which is being enforced for four weeks from May 12. SOPs for MCO 3.0 were tightened to include a ban on inter-district and interstate travel as well as restrictions on social, sports and recreational activities and face-to-face meetings.

“However, the increasing spread of infection within the community and the emergence of new variants that are more aggressive with high infectivity rates are causing efforts to flatten the curve to take a longer time.”

Taking all things into consideration, it said, the meeting had unanimously agreed to further tighten restrictions under MCO 3.0.

It said the meeting had also involved state governments in order to take into account the situation in each state as well as their views on the efforts to check the spread of Covid-19.

Malaysia has recorded daily infections of over 6,000 for three days in a row, with 155 deaths since Wednesday.

The current MCO was expanded to cover most of the country on May 12. It is expected to continue until June 7.