All 14 eco-forest parks and recreational forests of Perak will continue to be closed until further notice after the Movement Control Order (MCO) which was released on 18 March to stop the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Among them are the Lata Kekabu Forest Eco Park, Lenggong; Tali Kail Island Forest Eco Park, Gerik; Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Meru, Ipoh; Lata Kinjang Forest Eco Park, Tapah and Paya Laut Matang Mangrove Eco Education Centre, Kuala Sepetang, Taiping.

State Forestry Director Datuk Mohamed Zin Yusop said that the parks, which would remain closed until further notice would be the Ulu-Chepor Recreational Park in Chemor and Bukit Kledang, which remained permanent parks but originally developed to be open for the public. They were still part of the permanent forest reserve.

While certain businesses and economic sectors, including the management of forests, would resume operations in line with the Conditional Movement Control Order, but ecotourism activities in forests were still disallowed.

"All kinds of activities related to recreation, leisure, picnics, swimming, and public exercises are forbidden.

"The ban also includes, among other things, hiking and recreational cycling on any walking path in the permanent forest reserve of Perak as well as sports in training and jogging," he said.

Those found to be in violation of guidelines may be charged under the National Forestry Act 1984 or the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, the Police Act 1967 and the Regulation 7 and Regulation 11 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) 2020.