NSC to issue stricter MCO guidelines on Saturday

CORONAVIRUS | The National Security Council will be issuing stricter guidelines on Saturday, to ensure compliance with the movement control order.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this could include stricter rules on those going out for necessities.

"There could be more restrictions on making purchases, buying food and so on. I can't announce it yet because the NSC will come out with the stricter SOP," he said at a press conference today.

This is to ensure that the MCO succeeds in its goal of breaking infections of Covid-19.

Ismail added it was up to the public to ensure that the MCO, which has been extended to April 14, would not be extended further, and they can do this by staying home.

Earlier, he said five percent of the population were not complying with the order.

"At supermarkets and markets, some practise social distancing but many do not.

"Things might be calm in the city, but there are still many vehicles going about, many people still go out," he said.

So far, 110 people have been detained for violating the order, and 163,487 vehicles inspected.

To date, Covid-19 has infected 1,796 Malaysians and killed 21 people.

Meanwhile, Ismail said in an effort to better coordinate Covid-19 measures, federal ministers will sit in on all state security council meetings as soon as possible.

He said the federal representative will hail from the respective states whose meetings they will sit in.

In a separate statement, police have announced that they will be closing several roads leading to the Chow Kit market in Kuala Lumpur starting tomorrow.

Among the roads that will be closed are Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Abdullah to Jalan Raja Alang, Jalan Raja Abdullah to Jalan Raja Bot, Lorong Raja Bot, Lorong Haji Hussein and Lorong Haji Hussein 1.

The market can be entered from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and the exit is through Jalan Raja Alang.

Market-goers are advised to follow social distancing measures and are reminded that only one member of the family is allowed to venture out.

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