In view of the alarming upsurge of Covid-19 cases, the entire nation will observe a complete lockdown starting June 1 to 14. All sectors will not be allowed to operate, except for essential economic and service sectors.
The decision to implement the full lockdown for 14 days was made during the National Security Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday (May 28).
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), it said that the action taken to enforce lockdown was made following the steep incline of Covid-19 cases that breached more than 8,000 mark on Friday and 70,000 on-going active cases.
“So far, 2,552 people have died and the number is climbing.
“The existence of new and more violent virus variants that are highly infectious also influenced today’s decision.
“With the steeply increasing numbers, our hospital capacity nationwide to treat Covid-19 patients is also getting thinner,” the statement read.
If some improvement is seen during first phase of lockdown, the PMO said the government will then move on to the second phase where more sectors will be allowed to open, provided no large gatherings are involved and social distancing is practiced.
“Phase Two of the lockdown is expected to last for four weeks after Phase One ends.
“After that, Phase Three would start with the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) where no social activities are allowed.
“Most economic sectors would be allowed to operate according to strict SOPs and physical distancing at workplaces, which will be limited,” it said, adding that the decision to move from one phase to the next is subject to risk assessments by the Health Ministry.
“The assessment would be made based on the daily cases and the hospitals’ capacity nationwide to treat Covid-19 patients,” it added.
The PMO also added saying that the government will do everything in their power to prevent the public health system from collapsing.
“Various support and assistance will be given to the Health Ministry to increase the hospital capacity throughout the country.
“The government will also increase the number of vaccines to be administered to the people over the next few weeks to expedite herd immunity in the country.”
PMO said that the Finance Ministry will be releasing assistance package to the people and affected businesses, following the decision to implement closure on economic and social sectors.
“An announcement on this assistance package will be made soonest.
“We call on all Malaysians to remain disciplined and always adhere to the SOPs to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.
“It is best to stay home to flatten the Covid-19 infection curve,” it added.
