Chronology of MCO
- Lim Jin Shuen
- Apr 26, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 27, 2021
To help counter the COVID – 19 pandemic, the government of Malaysia initiated the Movement Control Order (MCO), effective on 18 March 2020, in order to increase social distancing and slow down the transmission rate of the virus. The MCO order was extended multiple times and has, at times, switched to either the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), or the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).
Phase 1 - Movement Control Order 1.0 (MCO 1.0) from 18th March 2020 till 3rd May 2020. There is complete restriction of movement and assembly nationwide, including religious activities, sports, social and cultural events. To enforce this restriction, all houses of worship and business premises are to be closed.
Phase 2 - CMCO from 4th May 2020 till 9th June 2020. The Prime Minister said mass movements would not be allowed although major festivals – Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan and Hari Gawai that fall within that period.
Phase 3 - RMCO from 10th June till 31st December 2020. Almost all social, educational, religious, and business activities, as well as economic sectors reopened in phases, with standard operating procedures to be adhered to. Interstate travel was also permitted while the country's borders remained closed.
Phase 4 – CMCO in the areas with high COVID-19 cases from 14th December 2020 till 31st December 2020. While general restrictions have been relaxed during the RMCO, specific “red zones” with higher numbers of COVID-19 cases may be placed under a CMCO.
Phase 5 – RMCO nationwide from 1st January 2021 till 31st March 2021. All standard operating procedures (SOP) under the RMCO will apply during the period and are subject to changes that will be announced from time to time. Activities at pubs and nightclubs except for the restaurant business at these premises were still prohibited during this period, while activities involving large crowds which made it difficult to implement physical distancing were also not allowed.
Phase 6 - Movement Control Order 2.0 (MCO 2.0) from 13th January 2021 till 4th March 2021. The extension affects Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor. Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made following risk assessment and analysis by the Health Ministry presented during the National Security Council (MKN) special meeting on Covid-19.
Current Measure - CMCO in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang and Kelantan; and RMCO in other 8 states.
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