Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) is being extended further until 31 December 2020. The decision was taken by the government after considering the global status of COVID-19 pandemic which still going on strong, even though it is under control in Malaysia.
Originally announced back in June, the implementation was supposed to end on 31 August 2020. Now that RMCO is being extended, PM Muhyiddin pointed out that all provisions under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Act 342 will continue to be enforced.
In fact, the government is looking to double or triple the current compound rate as suggested by the Ministry of Health, according to the PM. That being said, some amendments need to be done on Act 342 before that can take place.
Additionally, PM Muhyiddin has also revealed that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is currently under negotiation with manufacturers and suppliers to lower down the price of face masks.
All in all, the announcement by PM Muhyiddin today doesn’t come as a surprise since Senior Minister Ismail Sabri earlier this week has stated that the Malaysian borders will remain shut for the time being. Furthermore, Tourism Minister Nancy Shukri also stated our borders could still be closed until the Q2 of 2021.
The message is clear: the fight against COVID-19 is far from over. With that, do continue adopting a high level of personal hygiene and wear face masks as well as practice social distancing when you are out in public.
