Malaysia: Prime Minister extends movement control order to April 14 /update 8

Event

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the current movement control order (MCO) will be extended until at least Tuesday, April 17, to prevent further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. According to the Prime Minister, the decision to extend the MCO was made due to the increasing number of cases. Earlier in the week on Sunday, March 22, the military was deployed to help enforce the movement restrictions. The restrictions include prohibiting Malaysian citizens from leaving the country, discouraging non-essential domestic travel, and closing all schools, universities, and nonessential government services and businesses through Tuesday, March 31.

On Monday, March 16, Prime Minister Yassin announced that Malaysia had closed its borders to foreign travelers. Malaysian citizens may continue to return to the country but must undergo a health inspection and mandatory 14-day self-quarantine.

As of March 25, 1796 cases of COVID-19 and 17 associated fatalities have been confirmed in the country. Further international spread of the virus is likely over the coming weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands. 
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.