DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is intended to be generic in nature and the contents are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation develops. Vision KL shall not be held liable for any omission, error or inaccuracy.
Please click on the links and contact the numbers at the bottom of the page in order to obtain the latest updates from the authorities.
THE MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER IN MALAYSIA IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 14 APRIL 2020
Please stay at home unless necessary to mitigate the proliferation of COVID-19 cases in the country.
As you are likely well aware of by now, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread across the world in the past several weeks, causing widespread disruption and affecting everything from social gatherings to economies. In several countries, local authorities have initiated some form of lockdown to help curb the spread of the virus. Here in Malaysia, the government has put in place the Movement Control Order (MCO), otherwise known as the Restricted Movement Order (RCO).
MCO In A Nutshell
This order was effected on 18 March 2020 and is currently set to last until 31 March 2020 [UPDATE: the MCO has been extended to 14 April 2020], and covers those who are in the country. Employees of non-essential businesses and organisations are told not to commute to and fro to their workplaces and instead to work remotely from home wherever possible. Effectively, barring essential services such as those in the finance and health sectors, as well supermarkets and restaurants, businesses are shuttered during the order period. For the large part, retail outlets, entertainment spots, recreation sites and tourist attractions are closed, while events such as concerts, exhibitions, shows, conferences and other similar public performances and programmes have been deferred.
Those who are not in the essential services industry are advised to adhere to the MCO rules, which require them to stay at home unless in an emergency.
Grocery And Food
They are however allowed to go outside to acquire essentials such as medication, groceries, and food (strictly for take away orders from restaurants – no dining in is allowed), but this is on a need-to-do basis, involving only a single representative from the household. The operation hours of these businesses are subject to change, but they may be shortened from typical hours as mandated by authorities. Several restaurants have amped-up their food delivery capacity, which is executed through their native delivery service or through third party delivery services, negating the need for trips to most F&B establishments.
Social distancing and proper hygiene are required when you have to venture outside; use a face mask if possible, maintain a distance of at least a metre from the next person, avoid touching your face, use hand sanitiser frequently and wash your hands thoroughly upon returning home. To be on the safe side, take a shower before interacting with family members and settling back into your home routine. Safely dispose of the mask if you used one, and wash the clothes you wore outside without delay.
Stay At Home
In simple terms, aside from making necessary runs to the grocer’s or the restaurant to pack food for home, socialising in any form, be it gatherings, family events or the like, is not allowed. No cross-country travel for holiday, no running in the park, no social visits to friends or family or even a leisurely drive.
The police, with personnel backup from the military, are enforcing these rules in a calm and orderly manner, advising non-complying residents out on the streets to return straight home. These efforts are to avoid unnecessary human-to-human contact, which hopefully will arrest the transmission of COVID-19. As Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin implored, it is vital that those not in the essential services sectors stay at home until the order is lifted and play their part in curtailing the spread of the virus.
Please stay at home and stay safe during the MCO period. Let those at the medical and policing front lines do their jobs more efficiently and contain the COVID-19 threat.
Useful Links And Contact Details
If you have any pressing concerns regarding COVID-19 in Malaysia, or want to know what to do if you suspect you or someone around you may have the virus, contact the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) 24-Hour Hotlines below:
+603-8881 0200
+603-8881 0600
+603-8881 0700
Alternatively, you may reach CPRC via WhatsApp at +6010-969 9435 / +6010-860 8949.
You may email them at cprc@moh.gov.my as well.
Click here to read the statement delivered by the Prime Minister on 16 March 2020 regarding COVID-19 and the MCO.
Click here for further details on the MCO (in Bahasa Melayu) as released by the National Security Council.
Click here for FAQs on the MCO (in Bahasa Melayu) by the Prime Minister’s Office.
You may also call the MCO Hotline to have your queries tended to – National Operation Management Center MCO Hotline: +603-8888 2010.
Below are further useful links and contact details of authorities involved in the management of COVID-19 and the MCO.
Ministry of Health Malaysia (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia)
Website
Facebook
Twitter
TEL +603-8000 8000
National Security Council (Majlis Keselamatan Negara)
Website
Facebook
Twitter
TEL +603-8872 6817
Ministry Of Communications And Multimedia (Kementerian Komunikasi Dan Multimedia)
Website
Facebook
Twitter
TEL +603-8000 8000
Prime Minister’s Department (Jabatan Perdana Menteri)
Website
Facebook
Twitter
TEL +603-8000 8000
Prime Minister’s Office (Pejabat Perdana Menteri)
Website
TEL +603-8888 8000
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Website
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp (click on the link and text ‘hi’ for COVID-19 facts)