Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on 11 January 2021 that the governement will be re-imposing full lockdown in several states, Controlled Movement Control Order (CMCO) in others and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) in states where the cases are not too high.

The MCOs will start at 12.01 a.m. on 13 January and end on 26 January 2021.


But what does that mean for you? We have come up with a list of do's and don't based on the Prime Minister's speech yesterday.

As usual, despite the country having been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for a year, lists of do's and don'ts specific to businesses, education, etc. will only be released by related ministries on a later date, but here's what we know so far:

MCO States

Affected states: Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, and Sabah. All three Federal Territories (i.e. Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan).

Restrictions:

• No interstate and interdistrict travels. You can only travel within 10 kilometres of your home for essentials. There will be roadblocks, so don't try to get smart.
• No social gatherings including weddings, wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions (including Thaipusam), meetings, seminars, courses, and group sport activities.
• Only take away and delivery allowed for food, so hanging out at restaurants isn't an option either.
• Supermarkets, healthcare services (including clinics, hospitals and pharmacies) and banks are allowed to operate with strict SOP compliance. We didn't see any announcement on shorter operating hours like the previous MCOs.
• Only two people per household are allowed to head out to purchase groceries.
• Only two people from the same household are allowed in a vehicle.
• Only five essential economic sectors are allowed to operate, namely manufacturing; construction; service; trade and distribution; and plantations and commodities.
• Only 30 per cent of workers from a company's management teams are allowed to go in to office; employers to determine number of employees permitted in office at any one time (taking into consideration SOP compliance)
• Non-essential services staff to work from home; employers must comply with this ruling.
• 2020 and 2021 SPM candidates are allowed to attend school with strict SOP. Education Ministry will detail this SOP. Others will continue to learn online.
• Religious activities in places of worship aren't allowed but a maximum of five mosque/houses of worship committee members are allowed to be at these premises.
• You can go out for a walk, jog or cycling, but with restrictions. This includes keeping a two-metre distance between each other at all time and doing it solo.
• Outdoor recreational activities allowed among people within same household.

CMCO

Affected states: Pahang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan

What's different?

• No interstate travels, but you can go anywhere within the state.
• No social gatherings including weddings, wedding receptions, conferences, religious processions (including Thaipusam), meetings, seminars, courses, and group sport activities.
• Religious activities are allowed but with minimum number of people attending depending on the space to allow physical distancing. Other SOPs applies.
• Eateries can operate as usual. Dine-in, take away and delivery are allowed.

RMCO

Affected states: Perlis and Sarawak

For these two states, life is pretty much normal besides the usual wearing of masks, ensuring physical distancing, washing hands often and all the other basic SOPs.

However, here are a few things to remember:

What's different?

• No interstate travels but interdistrict travel is allowed.
• Social gatherings are allowed, provided in full compliance SOPs
• Religious activities are allowed with the usual SOPs in place.

There you have it. If all the restrictions are too hard to remember, just keep in mind to "Stay Home, Stay Safe" unless you absolutely have to go out, especially if you're in a state with full lockdown.

When you do go out for essentials, do remember to support the mom and pop stores in your neighbourhood, and other small businesses.

Stay safe, every one. We can do this together.