Senior Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof today said that only one representative of a family is allowed to go out to purchase the daily essential under Movement Control Order (MCO).
Fadilah said that this is already in the basic government policy for the order’s enforcement to curb the spread of Covid-19 infection.
“Whether someone wants to buy their daily needs or medical supply, only the head of the family is allowed to go out,” he said in a press conference this afternoon.
He, however, said the head needs to explain to the authorities should an additional person is needed to follow them during their outing.
“For example, if they attend any emergency or death, they have to inform the police. The police will use their discretion,” he added.
Fadillah also reminded the public to only go out when it is really necessary and also advise them to follow the rules set by the Health Ministry in this matter.
Separately, Fadillah also said that those under the essential sector will be allowed to travel and will be given a permit by the relevant ministries.
“A guideline has been finalised by the National Security Council (MKN). Both MKN and Health Ministry will channel the authority to the relevant ministries to issue a letter or identification so that those who are involved under the essential or critical sector will be allowed to go out and provide their service.
“This will also make the job easier for the police in this uncertain situation in the field,” he said.
Fadillah said state governments now have the power to decide on the operation hours of shops selling essential items.
“It had been decided yesterday that the opening hours of these stores selling essential goods, will be left to the state level to decide.
“That would be under their jurisdiction, through their respective local councils,” he said.
Fadillah was answering a question on the differing instructions in several states regarding opening hours of shops.
Several states were seen imposing opening hours of stores in their states, including Pahang where petrol stations in five of its districts had been ordered to shut down from 7pm to 7am throughout the order period, while the police in Terengganu had closed all main roads leading to the Kuala Terengganu city centre.
Fadillah also said the export of facial masks has been banned, while they are aiming to import 10 million masks from China to be handled by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and distributed among the frontliners who are working tirelessly throughout the MCO.
“The frontliners are those from the Health Ministry, the police, immigration and the military. If there are extra masks, it will be given to Pharmaniaga to be distributed to the commercial markets,” he said.
Fadillah said those who are not exposed to the Covid-19 symptoms need not wear a mask in accordance to the directive by World Health Organisation (WHO).
He also urged those who have been in close contact with Covid-19 positive patients to be honest and come forward with the truth to prevent the health officials tending to patients to be infected with the virus as well.