Minister of Works: Only Head of Family Will be Allowed Out to Purchase Daily Essentials

The Movement Control Order is currently being implemented from 18 to 31 March 2020 for a total of 14 days. All Malaysians are ordered to stay at home and practise social distancing to flatten the growth curve of Covid-19 infections.

Earlier today (21 March) during a press conference at Putrajaya, Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof, the Minister of Works, announced that only the head of the family will be allowed to go out for daily essentials. As reported on MalaysiaKini, this particular update is stipulated in the basic government policy in regards to the enforcement of Movement Control Order to combat the spread of Covid-19 in Malaysia.

He explained that if an additional person was to go out with the “head of the family”, he or she will be required to provide legitimate reasons to the police.

“Policy-wise, under the order, only one person, which is the head of the family, should be allowed to go out to get daily essentials or medicine. That is the basic guideline. However, let’s say that there is a need to bring another person, then the family head must be able to explain (why) to the police. The police will then use their discretion.”

This press conference was carried out after Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof chaired a special-ministers meeting on the order execution in Putrajaya. He also added that it is up to the state government to decide on the operating hours for stores that sell essential items during the implementation of Movement Control Order.

Regarding the confusion in regards to the differing instructions of the shops’ operating hours in several states, Dato’ stated that the state’s local council is responsible for the decision.

“It has been decided yesterday that the opening hours of these stores selling essential goods, will be left to the state level to decide. That would be under their jurisdiction, through their respective local councils.”

Regardless of the operating hours of the shops, Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof advised everyone to adhere to the Order and refrain from going out as much as possible.

“But as much as possible, minimise outdoor activities. Only go out when necessary.”

Also read: JUST IN: Army Will Be Brought In To Help Enforce Movement Control Order This Sunday