CORONAVIRUS | The government’s decision to place the country under nationwide movement control order will strengthen the Health Ministry efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.

He said that with the order, made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967, the ministry will be able to enforce movement restrictions to prevent the spread of the disease, such as through public gatherings.

“The ministry has advised everyone to take precautionary steps and practise good hygiene for so long but the public has not heeded it,” Noor Hisham (above) said when contacted by Bernama late last night.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday declared that Malaysia will be placed under nationwide movement control order from March 18 to March 31, 2020, due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile, the armed forces will not be involved in implementing the movement control order to contain the spread of Covid-19, Chief of Defence Force Gen Affendi Buang said.

"For now, the Royal Malaysia Police will determine all enforcement duties following the announcement on the (imposition of the) order," he said.

Affendi (above) said this to Bernama when asked whether armed forces personnel would be involved in enforcing the order issued by Muhyiddin last night.

He also explained that the declaration of the order would not affect the operations and deployment of officers and personnel at the country's borders and waters.

"Operations in the border and the country’s waters will continue as normal but non-essential training will be reduced," he said.

This is the first time Malaysia has enforced such an order.

The order was made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967.

Covid-19 cases rose sharply in the country with 190 new confirmed cases reported on Sunday and 125 yesterday, bringing the total to 553 as of noon yesterday.

Of these, 511 people are hospitalised while 42 people have recovered and been discharged.

- Bernama