Left with no choice, the government might be forced to go to the extreme.

Advice needed

With the number of daily cases topping the 3,500 mark every day since 5 May (4,446 on Monday, 17 May), rumours are rife that the government will be imposing a full lockdown again.

While the government has been mum on the matter, a Minister has revealed that a full lockdown is a possibility.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told New Straits Times that the government will only announce a full-blown MCO only after a discussion with the relevant authorities.

Ismail Sabri said that the Ministry of Health will provide advice on whether the country should go into a full lockdown mode.

"We will discuss this matter in the special National Security Council meeting (on COVID-19). If the Health Ministry sees a need (for a total lockdown), then the matter will be presented (during the meeting)," he was quoted as saying.

MOH mulling decision

The Ministry of Health, meanwhile, is reportedly considering implementing a stricter MCO, The Edge Markets reported.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, was quoted as saying that a the government will go to extreme lenghts to curb the spread of the virus.

As such, a stricter lockdown may be imposed in states which record a surge in COVID-19 cases such as Selangor.

"I agree with the proposal for a stricter enforcement of the SOPs and MCO if the on-going measures are unable to contain the spread of the virus.

"The proposal to implement a full-scale MCO is something that we can consider (to propose to the National Security Council)," he was quoted as saying.