NSC to decide on MCO extension on March 30

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians will find out by March 30 if the two-week movement control order (MCO) imposed by the government will be extended.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the National Security Council (NSC) will convene for a special meeting to decide if an extension was needed beyond March 31.

“The NSC will decide at the meeting whether the measures taken during the two weeks beginning March 18 were sufficient to contain Covid-19 or if we need to extend it for another one or two weeks.

“We will review the matter soon but in the meantime, I plead with all Malaysians to stay at home,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

Muhyiddin added while the compliance rate for the MCO has seen improvement since its first day of implementation, there are people who continue to disregard the order.

“Based on reports I received from the police and army, the latest figure is about 90% compliance. There are still those who are not adhering. I hope to see 100% compliance.

“On one hand, we can say the MCO is effective. But there is still movement, and I hope this can be minimised. Whether it will be extended will depend on the developments,” he said.

Muhyiddin had on March 16, announced the government would be imposing the MCO in its bid to contain the spread of Covid-19 and had on multiple occasions pleaded with the public to adhere to the order to avoid an extension.

On claims that private hospitals are charging exorbitant amounts for Covid-19 screenings, up to RM700, Muhyiddin said he thought the amount was reasonable.

“At the moment, we won’t control the rate. Yes, in government facilities, we subsidise the cost. But I was told that the standard rate is around RM700 per person.

“So I would say that the rate is reasonable, as long as it doesn’t reach RM1,000, then it will be considered burdensome,” he said. – by Amar Shah Mohsen