Govt also practising social distancing and taking other measures

PETALING JAYA: On Thursday morning (March 19), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob gave updates on the Movement Control Order (MCO) to the public via national telecast with a very contained press conference, where only official media Bernama and RTM were present.

Maintaining a safe distance between one another is more important now than ever before, and the government is in the midst of implementing guidelines and measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

In the Health Ministry, there have been discussions that future press conferences would be conducted via Skype.

However, nothing has been confirmed at the moment.

Meanwhile, a media invitation by the Prime Minister's Department's corporate communications department stated that reporters attending its non-health-related press conference on Thursday (March 19) morning, had to keep a safe distance of 2m from one another.

It stressed that reporters were also required to wear a face mask.

"Avoid greeting one another but replace it with just a bow.

"If a person is coughing or sneezing, use your arms to catch it but if using their hands, then please use a tissue paper," the media invitation read.

It also said that reporters had to use hand santisers to practise good hygiene.

Malaysians have been advised to stay home and abide by the MCO that was issued by the government on March 16.

The MCO will be in effect from March 18 to March 31 to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those who do not abide by the directives under the MCO can be fined not more than RM1,000 or jailed for not more than six months or both.