Malaysia in lockdown from Wed until Mar 31, all shops closed except for essential services

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 16, 2020, Malay Mail. Malaysia will be in a nationwide lockdown from this Wednesday (March 18) until March 31 due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced today, Malay Mail reported.

The prime minister said that the government has decided to implement a ‘restriction of movement order’ under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967.

“The government’s priority now is to avoid the spreading of new infections, which will affect more people.

“Therefore, drastic action needs to be taken. The government has decided to implement ‘restriction of movement order’ starting from March 18 to March 31,” he said in a special announcement broadcast on Astro Awani, RTM, TV3 and BernamaTV.

Muhyiddin said this means that all business premises have to be shut down, except for outlets such as supermarkets and grocery stores selling daily essentials.

He said all government and private premises would be closed during the lockdown, except for essential services such as utilities, telecommunications, transport, banking, health, pharmacies, ports, airports, cleaning and food supplies.

He said that the lockdown also means all Malaysians will be banned from travelling abroad, and that no tourists or foreigners will be allowed to enter the country.