Health DG: Movement control can boost ministry's fight against Covid-19

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The government’s decision to place the country under nationwide movement control will strengthen the Health Ministry efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak, say Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said with the order, made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967, the ministry would 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 a long time, but the public has not heeded it, ” Hisham said when contacted by Bernama late last night.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday night (March 16) declared that Malaysia would be placed under nationwide movement control order from March 18 to March 31, due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces would not be involved in implementing the movement control order, said Chief of Defence Force Gen Affendi Buang.

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

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. It was declared after Covid-19 cases rose sharply in the country with 190 new confirmed cases reported on Sunday and 125 on Monday (March 16), bringing the total to 553.

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