Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today announced that the government would conditionally allow more economic sectors to reopen during the movement control order (MCO) period.
This is to allow people to restart their lives after being confined at home for more than 40 days.
Guidelines to follow:
- Employers/Companies to assess temperature of staff on a daily basis
- Staff to ensure that all items are kept clean and to avoid body contact with colleague
- Employers can still recommend that their staff continue to work from home, probably with alternate days in the office
- The government appeals to employers to allow their staff with young children to give flexibility on working alternate days, etc.
In his Labour Day address today, Muhyiddin said that the government can no longer afford to carry on with the extended MCO imposed on businesses, which has dealt a significant blow to the nation’s economy.
He said that the government has been suffering RM2.4 billion in losses daily during the MCO, adding that the losses to date are estimated at RM63 billion, with another RM35 billion to come, should the MCO be extended longer.
“I realise you are all worried. I am worried too, and in some nations too, when the lockdown ended, the number of Covid-19 positive cases increased exponentially.
“We must find ways to balance between healing the nation’s economy and addressing Covid-19.
“After studying the data that we have gathered, the government has agreed to open up nearly all economic sectors and businesses while enforcing strict health conditions effective May 4,” said Muhyiddin
Trades and businesses that allow close contact will remain shuttered, however.
Exclusions include activities/businesses with a lot of gatherings such as cinemas, karaoke, night clubs, theme parks, carnivals, expo, Ramadan bazaars and night markets.