CMCO Extended In 6 States Including KL & Selangor

CMCO extended in KL, Selangor, Johor, Penang, Kelantan & Sarawak

Malaysians from different states have been living under some version of the Movement Control Order (MCO) since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just yesterday, 12th April 2021, the government announced that the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) will be extended in KL and 4 states, including Selangor, Johor, Penang and Kelantan from 15th April to 28th April. Sarawak will also see an extension of the CMCO from 13th April to 26th April.

This follows after the CMCO in the first 5 states were slated to end tomorrow, 14th April, and on 12th April for Sarawak.

Nonetheless, Malaysians can look forward to celebrating Ramadan as they once did before the pandemic struck even with the CMCO extension in place, with bazaars now allowed to operate after all ramadan bazaars were halted in 2020. All restaurants will also be allowed to operate past midnight until the early hours of 6AM during Ramadan month.

CMCO extended in 5 states, others remain under RMCO

Malaysia recorded a daily total of 1,317 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, along with 1,052 recovered cases. This sees 14 consecutive days of daily cases back in the 4-digits, after Malaysia saw a small win with just 941 new COVID-19 cases recorded on 29th March.

Image credit: Noor Hisham Abdullah

To continue keeping the COVID-19 situation under control, the CMCO has been extended in KL, Selangor, Johor, Penang, Kelantan and Sarawak.

The states of Perak, Pahang, Terengganu, Melaka, Perlis, as well as parts of Sabah, Kedah, and Negeri Sembilan will continue to be under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) from 15th April to 28th April.

Lahad Datu, Tawau and Keningau districts in Sabah will be under the MCO, while Kuala Muda district in Kedah and Seremban district in Negeri Sembilan will be under the CMCO. Kampung Meruntum in Sabah will be under the Enhanced MCO from 13th April to 26th April, with stricter measures enforced to help curb the spread of COVID-19 there.

Federal territories of Putrajaya and Labuan will also see an extension of RMCO from 15th April to 28th April too.

Cases recorded in each state on 12th April. Sarawak recorded the highest number of cases yesterday, with 351 new cases, while Selangor came in 2nd with 303 new cases.
Image credit: Noor Hisham Abdullah

The extension comes as Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob warned the public of a potential fourth wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Infectivity rate of COVID-19 is said to have risen to over 1.06 since Sunday, with a high of 1,739 new daily COVID-19 cases reported on 11th April.

Restaurants can operate until 6AM during Ramadan month

Ramadan for the Muslim community begins today, 13th April, until 12th May. To accommodate those observing Ramadan, restaurants will now be allowed to operate until 6AM during this period. Once the fasting month is over, however, restaurants will have to return to normal operation hours under the RMCO and CMCO.

This applies to dine-ins, takeaways, and food delivery at all restaurants and eateries.

CMCO extended in 5 states - market
Image credit: Penang.gov.my

Buka puasa events and Ramadan buffets will also be allowed during this period, but with strict SOPs in place, as reported by New Straits Times. This includes 50% capacity for events held in states under the CMCO, and 100% capacity in RMCO states – but it is mandatory that there be 2-metre physical distance between tables and guests for all events taking place.

Ramadan bazaars will also be allowed to operate as of today, 13th April, during the fasting month, but with strict observance of SOPs.

This includes wearing of face masks, registering with MySejahtera for contact tracing, practicing physical distancing, and taking of temperature. Fences will also be put up around bazaars to limit the entry and exit of visitors. Those found not observing SOPs may be fined up to RM10,000. Organisers may be fined up to RM50,000 too, if attendees breach SOPs.

For starters, there will be 65 ramadan bazaars in KL alone that will be open for KL-ites to buka puasa as they once did during the fasting month, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.

CMCO extended, while Ramadan bazaars make a return

Ramadan bazaars are a highlight of the fasting month for Malaysians, and will be making a much-anticipated return after they were cancelled last year as a necessary measure to help contain COVID-19. But while we are glad to have them return this year and bringing back traditions for communities here, we are reminded to follow SOPs while we are out as the fight against the pandemic is still not over in Malaysia yet.