Restricted movement for 14 days
Public measure: The movement control order will limit congregation at religious, sport, social and cultural events.
PETALING JAYA: A movement control order will be imposed from tomorrow until the end of the month to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Prime Minister announced the measure after chairing the National Security Council (NSC) last night.
“The government has decided to enact the measure, starting March 18 until March 31, throughout the whole country.
“This order is being issued under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967, ” he said during a special broadcast.
The measure will restrict the movement and congregation at religious, sport, social and cultural events.
While public and business premises will be closed, Muhyiddin announced that supermarkets, sundry shops and other shops which sell daily essentials will remain open.
Overseas travel for Malaysians will be restricted while those returning to the country must undergo health checks and voluntary quarantine.
Educational centres and schools, including higher learning institutions, will also be closed during this period.
The Prime Minister assured the public that essential services will continue.
These include health services, utilities such as fuel and electricity, along with the Fire and Rescue Department, police and those involved in the food supply chain.
Muhyiddin said he will chair daily NSC meetings and periodic updates will be announced to the public.
He also urged for all Malaysians to be patient during these trying times and to comply with the restrictions.
He assured the public that enough food and essentials are available, including face masks.
But at the same time, he said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will monitor the supply of these items.
“I realise the public might feel these actions create difficulties and hardships during their day to day lives. However, such action must be taken by the government to contain the outbreak.
“We cannot wait any longer for the situation to turn more dire. Drastic measures have to be taken immediately, ” he said.
He urged the public not to panic and remain calm.
“I believe that with these measures, we will be able to contain the outbreak soon, ” he said.
Muhyiddin also thanked those directly involved in combating the Covid-19 outbreak, including health officers and public servants who have been working around the clock.
“I pray that you will remain strong in performing your duties for the country to ensure public safety, ” he said.
~The Star~
318至331 全国行动管制
新冠肺炎日益严重，为有效遏止疫情，首相丹斯里慕尤丁宣布，大马施行行动管制，日期从3月18日至3月31日！
他于今日通过电视台发表冠病疫情时说，当局是援引1988年预防和控制传染病法及1967年警察法令，有关禁令实施后，国内所有群聚行动皆禁止进行，包括宗教活动、体育活动、社交及文化活动。
他指出，这段期间所有宗教场所及商业单位都必须关闭，至于超市、巴刹、杂货店及售卖日常生活品的商店可以继续营业。
“这期间全体国民被禁止出国，也限制外国游客入境，从外国回马的公民必须接受自我隔离。”
他指出，关闭所有幼儿园，政府和私立学校，包括日间学校、寄宿学校、国际学校，宗教学校和其他小学，中学和大学先修班。
”同时也关闭全国所有公立和私立高等教育机构（HEIs）和技能培训机构。“
他也透露，关闭所有政府和私人场所，但涉及基本服务的场所除外（水、电、能源、电信、邮政、运输、水利灌溉、石油、天然气、燃料、润滑油、广播、金融、银行、卫生、药剂、消防、监狱、港口、机场、保安、国防、清洁，零售和食品供应。）
限制令的6大重点：
1. 全国禁止集会，包括宗教、运动、社会及文化活动。为了执行这项禁令，所有宗教场所、商业单位强制关闭，不过，超市、杂货店及及售卖日常用品的商店则不受影响。特别是伊斯兰教徒，在清真寺及祈祷室的所有宗教活动，包括周五祈祷必须展延。
2. 限制国民出国，国人返国后必须进行14天的自我隔离。
3. 限制外国游客和访客入境。
4. 关闭幼儿园、政府及私人学校，包括寄宿学校、国际学校、宗教学校，以及其他中小学与预科班。
5. 关闭所有本地及私立大专，以及技职学院。
6. 关闭政府及私人界场所，但攸关国家利益的服务（基本服务）不受影响，包括水供、电供、通讯、邮寄、运输、水利、汽油、石油气、燃料、润滑品、广播、金融、银行、卫生、药剂、消拯局、监狱、港口、机场、保安、国防、清洁、零售、食品供应。
他说，了解民众会觉得政府采取的这个措施，会让大家造成不便，但政府必须执行这措施，以便有效的遏止新冠肺炎继续散播。
他透露，可以看到新冠肺炎在其他国家迅速蔓延，短期内感染人数从数十人到数百人，相信大家也不愿意这情况在我国发生。
“我们没有更多时间等待了，以免情况变得更令人担忧，政府必须立即采取这种激烈措施，限制民众行动阻止疫情蔓延，这是也唯一的方式来避免更多民众感染新冠肺炎。”
他也促请国民不要恐慌、慌张及保持冷静，相信政府现在所采取的措施，在短时间内有效的遏止新冠肺炎继续散播。国民也可以参考其他国家如中国，该国感染新冠肺炎人数在逐渐下降中。
“我给予保证，国内食品、日常用品及卫生用品如口罩绝对足够，我已指示贸消部在这段封锁期间,监督及执法确保食品及日常用品充足。”
他也透露，特别国家安全会议将每天举行，以便监督国内疫情的进展，他也将亲自主持该会议，并向国民汇报疫情的进展。
他呼吁人们遵守上述禁令，因为作为关注家人社会及国家的人们的一项集体责任。
民众有任何有关施行行动管制问题可以从周二中午12时开始，联络国家行动管理中心热线03-88882010。
~光华日报~
COVID-19: Stay-home notices for all travellers entering Singapore from ASEAN countries, Japan, UK, Switzerland
People who enter Singapore with recent travel history to ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom will be issued with a 14-day stay-home notice. This will take effect from 11.59pm on Monday (Mar 16) and applies to all travellers, including Singapore residents, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday.
People who enter Singapore with recent travel history to ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom will be issued with a 14-day stay-home notice.
This will take effect from 11.59pm on Monday (Mar 16) and applies to all travellers, including Singapore residents, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday.
It will not apply to Singaporeans and Malaysians using sea and land crossings with Malaysia, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said, adding that separate arrangements are currently being worked out by a bilateral joint working group with Malaysia.
Mr Wong, who also co-chairs the multi-ministry taskforce, added that about 300,000 people move across the land checkpoints with Malaysia every day.
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said on Sunday that given Singapore’s proximity to Malaysia, the 14-day stay-home notice will not apply to the land and sea crossings between both countries.
“Singaporean and Malaysian workers who commute between Singapore and Malaysia daily will still be able to do so," Mr Chan said in a Facebook post.
Source: CNA/zl(mi)
Bangkok Airways to Temporarily Suspend Bangkok-Vientiane Flights
Bangkok Airways has announced that it will suspend routes between Bangkok and Vientiane until further notice amid a drop in the number of passengers.
The operation of PG943 Bangkok-Vientiane and PG944 Vientiane-Bangkok will be suspended from March 10, except for March 24, while PG949 Bangkok-Vientiane and PG940 Vientiane-Bangkok will not operate from March 29.
“Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited announces a decrease in flight frequency as well as flight termination on certain domestic and international routes to be in line with current passenger demand,” the airline explained.
“This also follows the airline’s expense reduction plans which were launched earlier this month due to the global economic slowdown combined with the COVID-19 epidemic,” the company added.
Further information about affected flights can be found at Bangkok Airways’ website.
~The Laotian Times~
COVID-19: Malaysia bars entry of cruise vessels
Malaysia will not to permit entry of cruise vessels to its ports with immediate effect due to the COVID-19 outbreak until the overall situation improves and the spread of the virus is contained, said Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said in view of the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia and around the world, various measures were being taken by the Malaysian authorities to contain local transmission and to safeguard public health.
He said entry and transit of cruise vessels, passengers and crew members require considerable medical resources to be made available at ports for screening and treatment purposes.
"During this difficult period, it is important that more medical resources are concentrated at hospitals to attend to medical emergencies and undertake preventive measures.
"As such the Ministry of Health in consultation with other government ministries and agencies has taken the decision not to permit the entry of cruise vessels to Malaysian ports," he said in a Facebook posting today.
Dr Noor Hisham said the Health Ministry aknowledged that the cruise industry is an important component of Malaysia’s tourism sector and has contributed significantly to the Malaysian economy but was hopeful that this is a temporary measure and was confident that the concerted efforts of all parties will assist in resolving the issue at hand soonest possible.
-- BERNAMA
