By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, March 30 — Tighter measures will be implemented throughout the country in the second phase of the movement control order (MCO), which will begin on April 1.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that all businesses — eateries, food deliveries, markets, and petrol stations — will only be allowed to operate from 8am to 8pm daily during the two-week order period.
He stressed that the second phase is different than the enforced movement control order (EMCO) implemented in Simpang Renggam and Hulu Langat, as movement is still allowed and shops are still operating at restricted hours.
“Currently there are shops that are open until 10pm, some even up to midnight. Therefore we have decided to limit the operation hours.
“We urge for the public to do their shopping online and would also remind them not to meet with the delivery person face to face,” he said during a press conference that was broadcasted live, after chairing a special ministerial committee meeting on the MCO in Putrajaya today.
Ismail said public transportation is operational from 6am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm only, while private vehicles, including e-hailing services and taxis, are only allowed out from 6am to10pm.
“Each private vehicle can only be occupied by one person at a time,” he said.
Ismail said that the second phase will also see an increase of roadblocks.
To date, a total 1,520 roadblocks have been set up by the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, and the People’s Volunteer Corps, with total checks on 257,287 vehicles.
The second phase of the MCO will begin from April 1 to 14.
