PM: No blanket MCO needed if targeted approach used to control Covid-19

PUTRAJAYA: The government will implement a more targeted approach to control Covid-19 infectivity based on data and science and may not have to enforce the movement control order any more, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

This is among the initiatives to be put in place in the battle against Covid-19 under the People and Economic Strategic Empowerment Programme (Pemerkasa).

Muhyiddin said this approach would lessen the negative impact on the economy caused by a lockdown.

He said instead of enforcing the MCO nationwide or on a state, it could be done based on affected localities or specific clusters instead.

"We will also ensure that compliance of standard operating procedures and tighter enforcement is in place to control infectivity of Covid-19, in line with the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021.

"The government has also agreed to give additional tax rebates to manufacturing companies and manufacturing-related services companies on expenditure for workers hostel and rental premises," he said when unveiling the Pemerkasa programme on Wednesday (March 17).

Employers who send their workers for Covid-19 screening will be allowed to make additional tax cuts for expenses incurred for this purpose until Dec 31,2021.

Muhyiddin said the government would also increase its allocation for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme from RM3bil to RM5bil so that the herd immunity target can be achieved by December compared to the earlier projection of the first quarter of 2022.