By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, May 1 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has today announced a conditional movement control order (CMCO) effective May 4.
The order will allow the reopening of economic sectors and businesses but subjected to strict conditions, with the ban over mass gathering and the social distancing rule still in place.
In a special Labour Day address today, Muhyiddin said the nation had recorded an average RM2.4 billion losses daily during the MCO, which add up to an estimated RM63 billion throughout the order period.
He said if the economic and businesses continue to cease operations for another month, it will incur an additional RM35 billion losses, amounting close to RM100 billion.
“At the same time, many of us are worried that if the MCO is lifted, what will happen to our efforts in curbing the infection, as the virus is still out there even though the number of cases has dropped. The risk of infection is still there.
“Based on the advice of the Health Ministry, the data collected, and the best practice guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the government has decided to cautiously reopen economic sectors with strict health standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place, beginning May 4,” said Muhyiddin in the live broadcast of his address.
However, Muhyiddin had reminded employers to implement work-at-home policies where possible.
“This is the new normal that we have to practice. If the work can be carried out from home, then work from home. Maybe the employers can even implement alternate days for their employees to come into the office and work from home as well,” he said.
Muhyiddin said several industries and businesses that are not allowed to operated are those that involve social gatherings and close contact.
He said this includes cinemas, karaoke centres, reflexology centres, entertainment hubs, night clubs, theme parks, Ramadan and Raya bazaars, shopping expos and any exhibitions or conferences.
Restrictions on activities or routines and closure of premises that will still be in place during the CMCO include:
- Sports activities that involve body contacts, such as football, rugby, swimming, and indoor sports; However, outdoor sports that do not involve body-contact will be allowed including jogging, cycling, golf, and small group runs of less than 10 people;
- Social and cultural events such as weddings, open house, concerts, cultural shows, and group assemblies;
- Religious activities such as Friday prayer and gatherings at places of worship;
- Interstate travel except for work purposes or returning to respective homes;
- School, colleges, higher learning institutions;
