Key Information for Travelers to Malaysia.
Dear Friends of Malaysia,
Our government has extended the COVID-19 restrictions by enforcing Movement Control Order (MCO) 2.0 with stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) for the entire nation, except for Sarawak, effective February 5 until February 18.
According to our Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the enforcement of MCO 2.0 has shown positive effects in Kedah, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. However, the situation is still worrying in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor because of the dense population with active economic and industrial activities.
Therefore, our Prime Minister has urged the industry and public to strictly comply with the SOP as a reciprocal gesture to the government's decision of allowing most businesses to remain operational during MCO 2.0. The latest data shows that 59% of the third wave COVID-19 infections happened at workplaces, and thus stressing the SOP compliance at factories, construction areas and workers’ accommodation.
Prime Minister said the Emergency Ordinance 2021 gazetted on January 14 allows provisions in the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) to be amended for heavier and swifter enforcement actions. Meanwhile, the amendment of Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) will tackle the management issue of cramped accommodations for foreign workers.
Not only the ordinance allows the government to conduct the remobilisation of human resources, assets and public sector services, but it also permits the government to outsource the handling of patients to private hospitals temporarily. The government is also working with private medical service providers to use clinics, labs, expertise, services and human resources in managing the pandemic effectively.
Besides, the Armed Forces have been granted police powers to make arrests, inspections and confiscations while helping other agencies to carry out operations against illegal immigrants and COVID-19 prevention duties.
As of February 4, another 4,092 COVID-19 patients have recovered so far in Malaysia, and the overall COVID-19 recovery rate is at 78.6%. At the same time, Malaysia also recorded 4,571 new cases, totalling 231,483 cases nationwide. The total deaths are 826 cases or 0.4% of the confirmed cases.
