Report: PM to announce loosening of some restrictions on May Day
CORONAVIRUS | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to announce the loosening of movement control order (MCO) restrictions during his May Day speech at 11am.
According to a report by China Press, Muhyiddin is expected to announce loosening of restrictions for businesses and that more businesses will be allowed to resume operations by Monday.
CORONAVIRUS | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to announce the loosening of movement control order (MCO) restrictions during his May Day speech at 11am.
According to a report by China Press, Muhyiddin is expected to announce loosening of restrictions for businesses and that more businesses will be allowed to resume operations by Monday.
These businesses will have to adhere to Health Ministry guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19, which includes recording temperature of staff, checking for symptoms and social distancing requirements.
Failure to comply will result in closure, read the report.
Citing a source, the report said these businesses would not include those which provide recreational services.
"Recreational areas such as cinemas, pubs and nightclubs will not be allowed to resume operations," said the source.
School still closed
The source said the government would not be bringing forward the expiry date of Phase 4 of the MCO, which ends on May 12.
Instead, the source said the cabinet will study the developments of the outbreak and loosen restrictions accordingly.
"The government wants to see more areas resuming work. It was both upstream and downstream players, including those who supply parts, to help restore the economy," said the source.
However, the source said that schools will remain closed for now.
"This still needs detailed discussions. The government wants to monitor the situation for another two weeks.
"They will listen to all stakeholders and formulate guidelines. Therefore, the schools will likely reopen only in early or mid-June," said the source.
The MCO began on March 18, mandating schools and most businesses to close to slow the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus which has claimed 102 lives and infected 6,002 people.
In recent weeks, the number of new Covid-19 infections has steadily declined and the recovery rate has risen to 69.5 percent.
Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.
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