Health Ministry to decide if MCO will be extended, says Ismail Sabri

PUTRAJAYA: No decision has been made on whether to further extend the movement control order (MCO), which has entered its second phase.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this will be decided by the Health Ministry, depending on the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he said the government has noted the figures show that the Covid-19 curve is flattening.

“If the people comply with the MCO and other orders by the authorities, I believe that the curve will not just flatten but will see a decline.

“However, there must be strict compliance before this can happen. We will leave it to the Health Ministry to decide whether there is a need to extend the order, ” he said on Thursday (April 2).

The government has enforced the MCO to curb the Covid-19 pandemic since March 18 and has extended the 14-day order till April 14.

Ismail Sabri also reminded the public that compulsory quarantine for Malaysians returning to the country will start on Friday (April 3), adding this applies those entering the country through all entry points, as well as for non-citizens.

He said after the immigration checkpoints, those entering the country will be ferried using buses to quarantine centres and will remain there for 14 days.

“Everyone who enters Malaysia, be it via Johor Baru or entry points in the northern states or Sabah and Sarawak will be quarantined, ” he said.

Ismail Sabri assured returnees that their welfare will be looked after while being quarantined.

“A special task force has been set up at the centres to look after their wellbeing such as the meals and other basic needs.

“While there, regulations issued by the Health Ministry and National Security Council will be enforced, ” he said.