KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — The ringgit extended its downtrend against the US dollar at the opening session today due to lingering worries over Covid-19 pandemic which has curbed traders’ risk appetite, said a dealer.
At 9.00 am, the local currency depreciated to 4.3800/3850 against the greenback from Wednesday's closing of 4.3737/3844.
Yesterday, the government said it could be forced to extend the existing 14-day Movement Control Order if the measure failed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
The current two-week nationwide movement control order began yesterday and end in March 2020.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in an address which was broadcasted live last night said: "the government hopes after this two week period, those with symptoms (Covid-19) are able to be isolated and treated, making Malaysia free of Covid-19."
As of yesterday, Malaysia recorded 790 cases related to the virus.
The ringgit was traded higher against other major currencies.
It appreciated against the Singapore dollar to 3.0276/0327 from 3.0446/0664 and increased versus the Japanese yen to 4.0246/0303 from 4.0759/0898 yesterday's close.
The local note rose vis-a-vis the British pound to 5.0633/0708 from 5.2514/2570 and improved against the euro to 4.7751/7823 from 4.7938/8081.
— Bernama
