Coronavirus (Covid-19) Movement Control Order guidelines

Coronavirus is hitting the economy at a global level, it is shaking the normal lives of the people everywhere. Amid this world-wide pandemic outbreak, all the national governments are putting restrictions on the people to control the spread. In Malaysia also, the government has announced the 2020 Movement Control Order on March 18 for the sake of social distancing. 

Movement Control Order refers to the restrictions on the movement of the people as a preventive measure towards the pandemic coronavirus disease. The movement control throughout the country can also be called as “Malaysia Lockdown.”

On 16th March, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin declared the movement control through a television speech and communicated the restricted activities order as per the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967. Earlier, it was ending on March 31, but yesterday the Prime Minister extended it to April 14.

So many of us are wondered what facilities would be accessible or what would not be accessible in this lockdown situation, read on to know.

Counter services

As per the transport ministry, all the counter services of the departments and agencies would be completely closed during the MCO period.

Goods and food delivery

In the lockdown period, you are not allowed to dine out, but don’t worry,  the urban delivery services like GrabExpress and GrabFood are there for your help. You can order your favorite food, household stuff or you can send gifts to your loved ones while staying at home. Just be sure that your package box measures 43 cm x 43 cm x 43 cm maximum and weighs less than 10 kg.

Drive for a necessary reason only

Though driving is not completely restricted during the MCO period, it is allowed only for the essential things. But cops find the situation upside down, they are struggling for the enforcement of the order, as some people are really wandering on the roads for no reason. So. please don’t do that and help the government in enforcing the order, which is good for all of us.

No travel across the borders

During the MCO period, you are not allowed to travel across the borders, though transportation of goods is allowed across the designated checkpoints. However, special permission can be sought in the case of any emergency.

One person one car rule

During the MCO period, you can step out of your home for buying essential household stuff and medicines,  but not more than one person is allowed in the vehicle. However, if there is any critical situation, the relaxation can be provided after explaining the details to the police.

Renewal of driving license and road-tax

As all the counter services are closed until April 14, the transport ministry has announced that motorists can renew their license and road tax online through the MySikap JPJ portal or MyEG. But if you do not have portal ID to access MySikap JPJ, then there will be a temporary waiver if your license expires during the MCO period.

Limited bus services

Prasarana has announced the new schedule of bus services operating in the country. All Rapid KL train services including the LRT, MRT, and monorail services are operating from 6.00 am to 10.00 am and then 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm. So, schedule your necessary work according to the timings.

Limited hours of workshops 

With the enforcement of MCO, the carmakers’ services have stopped their workshop as they come in non-essential services. However, some third-party workshops are allowed to open their workshops with restricted time-frames, later on. People can call their local city and municipal councils to get to know about the respective opening hours.

Limited Komuter services

KTMB has also halted the interstate and city train services and reduced the frequency of Komuter to 49 services per day. 

Sanitized petrol stations

For the safety of the people, Shell Malaysia is taking all the preventive measures. As the government, police, hospital personnel are commuting day and night, the petrol stations are sanitizing on a regular basis to control the spread of pandemic disease.

6 months deferment of loan payments

Bank Negara Malaysia has issued orders to all the banks for the 6 months stay on all the loans and financing repayments starting from April 1. It means you are not required to pay your home loan and car loan installment for six months. However, it is not applied to the credit card balance.

So these were the restrictions and relaxations operating in the MCO period in the country, It is not the time to panic, keep calm and follow all the orders issued by the government. The support of all the people is what needed at this time, stay safe, stay home.

Also read: Impact of Coronavirus on the global auto industry