Highlights
- CMCO extends in Selangor, KL, Johor, Kelantan and Penang from 15-28 April
- Possible fourth wave infection due to 1.06 infectivity rate
- Interstate travel is still not allowed
- F&B outlets may open until 6am during Ramadhan month
Putrajaya, which today warned that Malaysia could potentially face a fourth wave of the pandemic, has decided that Selangor, Johor, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur and Penang will remain under the Conditional Movement Control Order or CMCO from April 15 until 28.
Senior Minister for Security Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had stated that the extensions are due to the unstable trend in new Covid-19 infections detected nationwide and after the Covid-19 infectivity rate (Rt) or R-Naught value rose to 1.06 yesterday.
"The rate of Covid-19 infectivity according to yesterday's daily case nationwide rose to 1.06. We must all comply with the SOPs (standard operating procedures), more so since there are a lot of activities during the Ramadan month, such as the Ramadan bazaars, breaking of fast and Tarawih prayers," he told reporters.
He also said interstate travel will remain barred, except for tourism activities through tour agency registered with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry under the interstate travel bubble for states under RMCO.
He also urged state governments to follow the SOPs issued by the federal government, to standardise regulations and avoid confusion among the people. However, the states could tighten the SOPs if necessary, he said.
The government will allow all restaurants, stalls, eateries — including coffee houses in hotels — as well as fast-food shops and food delivery services in states under the CMCO, RMCO to operate until 6am during the fasting month of Ramadan, said Ismail Sabri.
This is to enable those fasting, especially those who are single, to purchase food for their pre-dawn meals (sahur), he said. Eateries in shopping complexes or supermarkets are the exception, he said, as they will still have to adhere to the operating hours of the said premises.
Ismail Sabri also said that hotels and restaurants would be allowed to hold buffets — with food handlers serving the food to customers at these buffets — for the breaking of fast, with strict compliance of the SOPs.
Reference Links -
[1] The Edge
[2] Noor Hisham Abdullah
[3] New Straits Times
[4] Majlis Keselamatan Negara