KINIGUIDE | A new phase of the conditional movement control order (MCO) came into force yesterday, with more relaxed rules- including for interstate travel.

Despite this, there are still restrictions for areas under the conditional MCO.

This article is based on guidelines issued by the National Security Council (NSC) on Dec 7, and on Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's remarks on Dec 5.

Click here for a list of states and areas under conditional MCO.

Can I leave my home?

Yes. Travelling from an area under conditional MCO to another, or to a recovery MCO area is allowed.

There are no restrictions for travelling from a red zone to a green zone or vice versa either. 

Effectively, this means inter-district, and interstate travels are allowed.

Travel is only restricted to and from enhanced MCO areas as it is only allowed with police permission for emergencies such as medical treatment or death.

Those going to Sabah must take a Covid-19 test three days before entry. Those without symptoms and test negative will be allowed in.

How many people can be in my car?

There is no more passenger limit for private vehicles. The number of passengers will depend on the vehicle's capacity instead.

For example, a five-seater car can have five passengers, and a seven-seater MPV can seat seven passengers.

What about taxis, e-hailing, busses and other public transport?

According to the NSC, public transportation can operate based on vehicle capacity.

Operating hours are based on licence terms.

Can I hold a work meeting?

Meetings for work or official purposes at offices, hotels, or other institutions are allowed, with the practice of social distancing measures.

Face masks must be worn, and the meeting room must not exceed 50 percent capacity.

What about conferences and training?

Conferences, seminars, training workshops, lectures and exhibits can only be held in green zones.

Ongoing service training can only be done at training institutes.

Can I send my children to school or childcare centre?

Schools, colleges and universities remain closed - except for students taking international exams.

However, tuition, music, dance, art, Quran recital, and language classes can operate on a one-on-one basis - for green zones under the conditional MCO.

Child care centres, nurseries, and kindergartens can also operate with permission from the authorities.

Can I go shopping? What time do businesses close?

Yes. Grocers, shopping malls, retail stores, restaurants, laundromats and other businesses for daily necessities can operate from 6am to midnight.

Likewise, daily markets, wholesale markets, farmers markets and night markets can operate within the licensed/permit times up to midnight - with adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the watch of authorities, local governments and the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela).

Petrol stations can also open from 6am to midnight, with the exception for those on highways which can operate 24 hours.

Pharmacies will be open from 8am to midnight.

Clinics and hospitals will continue operation for 24 hours.

For Sabah, businesses, malls, grocers, markets, pharmacies, and petrol stations close at 10pm. Eateries can close at midnight.

What are the rules for dining in? (Updated Dec 9)

Ismail announced on Dec 9 that there will not be a capacity limit for dining in.

Instead, he said there need only be sufficient social distancing at a table. For example, he said a big table that can seat 10, may be able to seat seven people with distancing.

Previously the guideline stated that there must be 1m distance between patrons sitting at the same table.

However, it is unclear if Ismail's announcement covers Sabah - which has the autonomy to set its own rules.

Under Dec 7 guidelines for Sabah, tables can only seat half of the capacity. For example, a table for four can only seat two, and a table for eight can only accommodate four.

Pubs remain closed nationwide.

If I want to order food delivery, when can I do so?

Food delivery can be done from 6am to midnight.

Can I play sports?

Indoor and outdoor sports without physical contact are allowed.

There must be 1-3m social distancing for static activities, and 3-5m distance for dynamic activities.

Public sporting facilities are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.

Contact sports are not allowed.

Can I go to the cinema?

Cinemas, theme parks and indoor playgrounds are only allowed to operate in green zones.

Concerts and live events with an audience are not allowed.

Nightclubs also remain closed.

I have a wedding to attend, can I go?

Social gatherings such as wedding receptions, feasts, engagement ceremonies, anniversaries, birthday parties, reunions, and retreats are not allowed.

However, Muslim marriage solemnisation (akad nikah) ceremonies at Islamic Department Offices are allowed, with up to 30 guests or within limits set by state religious authorities.

Marriage solemnisation ceremonies for non-Muslims are also allowed at houses of worship, association buildings, or the National Registration Department with up to 30 guests based on the space available and social distancing.

Can I pray at a place of worship?

Activities at mosques and surau are allowed with limits set by the respective state Islamic bodies.

Non-Muslim houses of worship can also open with limits set by the Health Ministry, NSC, or state government.

What if I break the conditional MCO rules?

Violating the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020 can land you a RM1,000 fine, or up to six months imprisonment, or both.

Worse, if you obstruct a public official who is enforcing the conditional MCO, you can face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to RM10,000 or both under Section 186 of the Penal Code.

Public officers aren't only limited to the police and include public servants of various agencies, including local council officers.

Why have the conditional MCO rules been relaxed?

The government has cited economic reasons for the relaxing of the conditional MCO.

Putrajaya said if the conditional MCO continued to be enforced and in as many states as before, it would result in GDP losses of up to RM300 million per day.

This instalment of KiniGuide was compiled by Zikri Kamarulzaman.