Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that the government will impose a 'movement control order' from March 18 to March 31 to curb the rising numbers of COVID-19.
Speaking during a special address after chairing a meeting on the matter, Muhyiddin said that the measures were necessary and told people to stay at home and to refrain from panicking.
"The movement control order will be put in place under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 1988 (Act 342) and the Police Act 1967," he said.
He added that the order will include:
A ban on public movements and gatherings throughout the country including religious, sporting, social and cultural activities.
To enforce this prohibition, all houses of worship and business premises must be closed. This is except for supermarkets, markets and convenience stores selling everyday necessities. Specifically for the Muslim community, all religious activities at the mosque and the surau including Friday prayers will be temporarily halted.

All Malaysians will be restricted from travelling abroad.
For those who have just returned from overseas, they are required to undergo a health check and be on self-quarantine for 14 days.
All foreign tourists and visitors will be restricted from entering into the country.
All kindergartens, government and private schools including boarding schools, international schools, tahfiz centres and other primary, secondary and pre-university institutions, will be closed.

All public and private higher education institutions and skill training institutions will be closed.
All government and private premises to be closed. This does not include those providing essential services including water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, post, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmaceutical agencies, the fire department, prisons department, ports, airports, security, defence, cleaning, retail and food supply.
"I realise that you may feel that the actions taken by the Government will result in difficulties, especially in carrying out daily activities. However, this action must be taken to curb the spread of COVID-19, which will endanger the lives of the people in this country," he said.
He added that there was no way that the government could wait any longer as the situation was getting worrying.
"Drastic action must be taken to prevent the spread of the disease and this is by limiting the movement of the public," he said.
He added that he hoped the people would remain patient and refrain from panicking.
511 are being treated in our hospitals while 42 people have completely recovered.

The disease has spread to 135 countries with 162,711 people confirmed with the disease.
Thousands are still fighting it at hospitals around the world and a total of 6,443 people have died.
For more detailed information, visit WHO's website.
Speaking during a special address after chairing a meeting on the matter, Muhyiddin said that the measures were necessary and told people to stay at home and to refrain from panicking.
"The movement control order will be put in place under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 1988 (Act 342) and the Police Act 1967," he said.
He added that the order will include:
A ban on public movements and gatherings throughout the country including religious, sporting, social and cultural activities.
To enforce this prohibition, all houses of worship and business premises must be closed. This is except for supermarkets, markets and convenience stores selling everyday necessities. Specifically for the Muslim community, all religious activities at the mosque and the surau including Friday prayers will be temporarily halted.

All Malaysians will be restricted from travelling abroad.
For those who have just returned from overseas, they are required to undergo a health check and be on self-quarantine for 14 days.
All foreign tourists and visitors will be restricted from entering into the country.
All kindergartens, government and private schools including boarding schools, international schools, tahfiz centres and other primary, secondary and pre-university institutions, will be closed.

All public and private higher education institutions and skill training institutions will be closed.
All government and private premises to be closed. This does not include those providing essential services including water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, post, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmaceutical agencies, the fire department, prisons department, ports, airports, security, defence, cleaning, retail and food supply.
Stay calm, don't panic

"I realise that you may feel that the actions taken by the Government will result in difficulties, especially in carrying out daily activities. However, this action must be taken to curb the spread of COVID-19, which will endanger the lives of the people in this country," he said.
He added that there was no way that the government could wait any longer as the situation was getting worrying.
"Drastic action must be taken to prevent the spread of the disease and this is by limiting the movement of the public," he said.
He added that he hoped the people would remain patient and refrain from panicking.
Current COVID-19 numbers in Malaysia
As of 16 March, a total of 553 people have been confirmed with COVID-19 in the country.511 are being treated in our hospitals while 42 people have completely recovered.

The disease has spread to 135 countries with 162,711 people confirmed with the disease.
Thousands are still fighting it at hospitals around the world and a total of 6,443 people have died.
What you can do to protect yourself
According to the World Health Organisation, the best way to protect yourself is to:- Regularly wash your hands
- Practice social distancing
- Avoid touching your face
- Practice good respiratory hygiene (i.e. cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze)
- Self-quarantine if you are unwell
- Inform the authorities if you are showing COVID-19 signs
- Keep up to date with the latest developments from WHO or the local authorities.
For more detailed information, visit WHO's website.