Tourists wearing masks pass by Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 31, 2020. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng

Just a day after the media reported recent positive trends on recovering COVID-19 cases in the country, Malaysia announced that it will be further extending its movement control order (MCO) until the end of this month.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in a televised address to the nation said that the extension will take effect from 15 Apr to 28 Apr.
Explaining why the order was extended further, he said that the extra time will give medical personnel dealing with COVID-19 more room to manage conditions pertaining to the virus more effectively, in addition to preventing the reignition of an outbreak across the country.
Mr Muhyiddin added that the people should brace themselves for possible further extensions of the MCO should conditions necessitate them.
In the meantime, he urged educators to implement home-based learning until schools can be reopened.
Noting that foreign persons without the necessary legal documentation may attempt to enter and exit the country through illegal routes, Mr Muhyiddin said that the police and military will tighten border controls to prevent the movements of such persons, who may be carriers of the virus and pose risk to people in Malaysia.
Selected industries will be reopened in phases, he added. The relevant sectors will be announced at a later date.
Mr Muhyiddin in his address thanked frontline workers such as medical personnel dealing with COVID-19 patients, police and military officers tasked to ensure compliance with the MCO measures, food delivery riders, and NGOs and individuals who have been distributing essentials to those in need.
While Mr Muhyiddin acknowledged that Malaysia has been doing better in terms of managing the outbreak, he reminded the people to not be complacent.
People should continue practicing good hygiene and safe distancing measures, as “the war on COVID-19 is not yet over”, he said.
More to come

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