To deal with the rise in Covid-19 cases, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has declared that the entire country will be on a movement control order starting from March 18 to 31 The decision was made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967.

Speaking to the nation in a special address on Monday night, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the order will entail a ban on all mass gatherings for religious, sport, social and cultural activities.

In addition, all houses of worship and business premises will be closed, with the exception of supermarkets, public markets, and sundry and convenience shops which sell daily essentials.

Muhyiddin said for Muslims, all mosque and surau activities – including Friday prayers – will be suspended in accordance with a decision made by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs on Sunday. All Malaysians will also be banned from travelling overseas during this 14-day period; while those recently returned from abroad must undergo health checks and self-quarantine for 14 days.

All foreign tourists will be banned from entering the country during this time.

Muhyiddin also announced the closure of all pre-schools, government and private schools including daily schools, residential schools, international schools, tahfiz centres and other primary, secondary and pre-university institutions.

All public and private institutions of higher learning and skills training institutions nationwide will also be shuttered for 14 days.

Muhyiddin added that all government and private sector premises will cease operating, with the exception of premises involved in the provision of essential services such as water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, post, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel and lubricants, broadcasting, finances, banking, health, pharmacies, fire and rescue, prisons, ports, airports, security, defence, public cleansing, retail and food supply.

"I understand that you may feel that this action that has been taken by the government will result in inconvenience and problems in your daily lives. However, the government must take this action to curb the spread of the virus that could potentially take the lives of the people in this country.

He said "We have seen a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases from a few hundreds to a few thousands in a short span of time in other countries. I am sure, you do not want the same thing to happen in our country. We cannot wait any longer until the situation becomes dire. Such drastic action needed to be made immediately to prevent the spread of the virus by limiting people's movements,".

Any enquiries on the movement control order can be directed to the National Operations Management Centre at hotline 03-8888 2010 beginning noon on Tuesday (May 17).