Malaysia is further easing restrictive steps to enable almost all social, educational, and business operations to restart, as the latest figure indicates that the country's COVID-19 outbreak is under control, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Sunday.
In a televised address, Muhyiddin declared that as of June 10, the controls under the movement protection order will be further eased to allow the public greater freedom while holding the nation under surveillance of the outbreak.
Since 18 March, Malaysia has been under restriction to control the COVID-19 epidemic, with a modified variant being enforced after 4 May, expected to end on 9 June.
After enforcing the restrictions, the country's COVID-19 infection incidence has shown a decreasing trend, with data showing that local transmission among Malaysians is going down and under control, Muhyiddin said, adding that most new cases have recently been introduced or from illegal migrants detained at immigration detention centres.
"This shows that Malaysia has effectively managed COVID-19 spread, and is now entering the process of recovery," he said.
Under the recovery phase of the movement control order, interstate travel and domestic tourism will be permitted, and almost all social , educational, religious, and commercial and economic activities will be allowed to operate under the government's requirement of strict standard operating procedure ( SOP).
Schools will reopen in steps, with the Ministry of Health and Education sorting out implementation specifics.
Nevertheless, pubs, night clubs, entertainment centers, theme parks, massage parlors as well as sporting events and other large-scale activities which result in crowds will remain prohibited. Sporting activities involving physical contacts such as football still are not permitted.
Border controls continue to be in place. After the enforcement of the travel control policy, Malaysia has prohibited people from leaving the country and from international tourists to join. The latest steps will operate until 31 August, Muhyiddin said.
During this time, the prime minister said the government will focus on seven key thrusts including reinforcing public health, border security, law enforcement, implementing the "new normal" culture, community responsibility, protecting vulnerable groups and opening the economy to the full.
Muhyiddin emphasized the significance of adhering to the laws and SOPs enforced for the protection of the people, stressing that the government would not hesitate to re-impose strict measures should the amount of new cases rise.
He also called on the public to accept the new normal as a culture, and be patient as the government worked as hard as possible to normalize the country's situation.
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