All main roads to Kuala Terengganu town centre closed

Police have closed off all main access roads to Kuala Terengganu town centre to curb public movement as part of the movement control order, which ends on March 31.

Terengganu police chief Roslee Chik said only those who are on duty in essential services and industries, or have a sound reason, will be allowed to pass.

"All vehicles entering the city centre will be blocked from entering the city centre via the main roads and only those with reasonable purpose will be allowed to pass.

"Those who have to be on duty will have to show proof of this from the respective government agencies or companies," he told Sinar Harian on Friday.

He said this was the state police department's own initiative to limit public movement to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

By Friday afternoon, 20 people have tested positive in Terengganu. Malaysia breached the 1,000 mark yesterday, recording 1,030 as at noon.

A 58-year-old Tawau man yesterday became the third Malaysian to die of the virus, which first hit Malaysian shores late January.

Rules differ from state to state

The government said police will soon have to resort to arrests and fines if Malaysians continue to breach the control order, three days after it came into force on March 18.

The army will also be deployed on Sunday to monitor compliance with the order.

Individuals can be fined RM1,000 or jailed for up to six months for breaching the order, imposed under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

However, the rules for the order appear to differ from state to state.

For example, on Thursday, Pahang announced it would limit the opening hours of such businesses in five districts - Kuantan, Pekan, Jerantut, Temerloh and Bentong.

Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the local governments in those districts had decided to shut down petrol stations, 24-hour convenience stores and eateries from 7pm to 7am for the duration of the order.

Employees of essential services stopped at roadblocks in various parts of the country were only told on Friday that they require a letter from their employers to prove they need to be on duty.

In his public address on Wednesday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the Malaysians can still go out to purchase food, but are encouraged to stay home.

Restaurants, supermarkets and wet markets will remain open, he said.

However, Malaysiakini understands that some hypermarkets are denying entry to those who come in groups while there have been reports of vehicles being stopped by police roadblocks for carrying more than one person.

Similarly, the PM told Malaysians not to travel interstate, but interstate express buses continue to operate as part of transportation services.