Malaysia extends lockdown

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday (May 10) extended the country’s conditional stay-at-home order by another four weeks, to June 9. The Prime Minister said that although new COVID-19 cases are lower now than at the start of the movement curbs, the fight is not yet over.

“Even though we have achieved positive developments in the war against COVID-19, we haven’t fully succeeded yet,” he warned, adding that most Malaysians want the government to take the necessary steps to fight the spread of the virus.

“Therefore, based on advice from the Health Ministry and the National Security Council, I wish to announce that the conditional movement control order that runs until May 12 ... will remain in force until 9 June.”

Malaysia first imposed movement curbs on March 18, as coronavirus cases began to rise sharply. Schools and non-essential businesses were shut, and people were confined to their homes except to buy food, essential items or to seek medical.

Straits Times