Decision on RMCO to be based on infection data

The government will analyse data on the Covid-19 spread before deciding on the status of the recovery movement control order (MCO), which is slated to end on Aug 31.

“We have to look at the current situation before the end of this month where we will discuss our next step,” said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The recovery MCO, which started on June 10, was a progression from the conditional MCO.

Interstate travel is allowed under the recovery MCO, among other restrictions that were eased up.

Speaking to reporters attending the launch of the Embracing New Norms campaign by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, Ismail Sabri said if there were no new infections until Aug 31, then the government would no longer need to use the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.

Ismail Sabri, who is the campaign’s chairman, said the campaign would involve the participation of community leaders such as village heads, tuai rumah, imam and mosque committees, tok batin and religious leaders from every city, town, village and rural area.

“The campaign, which aims at disseminating information from the Health Ministry, will involve the use of various platforms such as the mass media, social media, billboards, roadshows, religious programmes, posters, banners and buntings until Dec 31,” he added.

He said there were still people out there who were uncooperative in following standard operating procedure.

This includes not wearing face masks even though the government had made it compulsory from Aug 1.

Ismail Sabri said the RM1,000 compound on offenders should be a sign for others to always adhere to the rules.

“It is up to the police whether to give such individuals either a compound or take them to court,” he said.

He said 3,231 investigation papers had so far been sent by the police to the Attorney General for further action.