[BREAKING] Muhyiddin Announces MCO In 8 Areas Effective 13 January 2021
"Our healthcare system is at breaking point," stressed Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 11 Jan 2021, 06:27 PM
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has reinstated the Movement Control Order (MCO) in five states and Federal Territories beginning this Wednesday, 13 January
In a live address at 6pm today, 11 January, Muhyiddin said the MCO will be implemented in Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, and three Federal Territories — Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan.
It will last two weeks, beginning 12.01am on 13 January 2021 to 26 January 2021.
Meanwhile, six other states will be under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO)
The states under CMCO are:
- Pahang
- Perak
- Negeri Sembilan
- Kedah
- Terengganu
- Kelantan
As for Perlis and Sarawak, the two states will be under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).
Muhyiddin said that the new MCO will be similar to the first MCO the country went through in March 2020
He said that people in MCO areas are not allowed to travel across states and can only move within a 10km radius from the places they live in.
"For the purpose of buying essential needs from a nearby supermarket or grocery store, only two household members are allowed to leave the house and be in the same vehicle," said the premier.
"Any individual who violates this rule may be subjected to a maximum compound of RM1,000."
To break the COVID-19 infection chain, the government has also banned all social activities, such as weddings, conferences, religious parades, meetings, seminars, and sports activities.
Muhyiddin specified that the celebration of Thaipusam during this two-week period is not allowed too.
"However, for the states under RMCO, social activities are permitted, but they are subjected to the compliance of standard operation procedures (SOPs)," he added.
As for the procurement of vaccines to immunise Malaysians against the virus, the government has already signed a preliminary agreement with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and the global COVAX Facility
Muhyiddin said to achieve herd immunity, 60% to 70% — or 20 to 23 million Malaysians — need to be given the COVID-19 vaccine.
The supplies will cover 40% of the Malaysian population.
"The government is also in the process of final negotiations with Sinovac, CanSino, and Gamaleya to increase vaccine supplies to exceed 80% of the total population of the country or 26.5 million," said Muhyiddin.
"The government will ensure that only vaccines that meet the safety, quality, and effectiveness standard will be registered and used in Malaysia. This evaluation process is made by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and the Malaysia Drug Control Authority (PBKD) will register the vaccine before it can be used in Malaysia."
