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For your convenience, we’ve translated to English the latest Movement Control Order (MCO) standard operating procedure (SOP) released by the National Security Council (MKN). This translation is provided “As Is” so please refer to the original document (linked at the bottom) where necessary.

Areas Involved

  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Selangor
  • Johor
  • Pulau Pinang

Duration

Effective 19 February 2021 (12.01 am) till 4 March 2021 (11.59 pm).

Notes

Activities ALLOWED

  • Permitted economic sectors.
  • Buying and acquiring essential items and services.
  • Obtaining health and medical treatment.
  • Conducting official government and judicial matters.

Activities NOT ALLOWED

  • Inter-district travel within Movement Control Order (MCO) areas and inter-state travel without permission from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
  • Movement into and out of MCO areas without permission from PDRM.

Fixed Instructions

Movement Control

  • The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) are responsible for exercising control over local infected areas with assistance from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Civil Defence Force (APM), and the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA). Entry and exit routes of MCO areas are closed and controlled by PDRM.
  • There are no crossing of state and district boundaries (based on district boundaries set by State Governments). The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is considered 1 district of infected area.
  • The number of passengers in private vehicles is according to the capacity of the vehicle for the purpose of obtaining health or medical care, obtaining food supply, medicine, dietary supplements basic necessities and daily necessities in the same district as their residence or the district closest to their residence if there is no supply of said necessities in said area.
  • The number of people allowed in vehicles transporting goods as well as economic / industrial activity chains depends on the commercial vehicle registration license.
  • The movement of private vehicles, Government departments or private companies for the purpose of commuting to and from work or conducting official government business depends on the seating capacity of the vehicle.
  • Movement for public and private operations and services depends on the seating capacity of the vehicle.
  • Cross-state travel is allowed for long-distance married couples by obtaining PDRM permission.
  • Other movements allowed in this SOP.
  • All students of educational institutions are allowed to attend educational institutions across MCO or CMCO or RMCO areas according to the school calendar set by the Education Ministry (KPM) with authorisation documents from KPM in a round trip accompanied by parents / guardians as per the following resolution :
    • a) Starting January 4, 2021
      • Matriculation College
    • b) Starting January 20, 2021
      • Secondary & Private Schools (Forms 5 & 6 Cohort 2020)
    • c) From 22 February 2021
      • Institute of Teacher Education (students who perform practicum and have practical courses).
    • d) Starting March 1, 2021
      • Primary & Private Schools (Preschool, Year 1 & Year 2)
      • Vocational College (SVM Year 1: Sem 2 & DVM Year 1: Sem 2)
    • e) Starting March 8, 2021
      • Primary & Private Schools (Years 3 to 6)
      • Vocational College (All Levels)
      • International School (All Levels)
      • Private Institutions of Higher Learning Central Category (All Categories)
    • f) From 4 April 2021 (Group A) & From 5 April 2021 (Group B)
      • Secondary & Private Schools (All Levels)
  • The movement of teachers / lecturers for teaching and learning purposes is allowed with authorisation from KPM.
  • Students and candidates sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Examination 2020 and 2021, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia, (SVM) Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM), Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM), Diploma Vokasional Malaysia (DVM), Pentaksiran Kemasukan Sekolah Khusus for Form 1 and Form 4 and equivalent international examinations are allowed to attend schools across MCO or CMCO or RMCO areas according to the school calendar set by the Education Ministry (KPM) with authorisation documents from KPM and movement to and from school can accompanied by a guardian.
  • Matriculation colleges are ALLOWED to operate during the MCO period. Students in boarding schools / universities / institutions are ALLOWED to be at their boarding schools / universities / institutions and continue hybrid learning.
  • International examinations and professional bodies, as well as research activities that require laboratory facilities at Institutions of Higher Learning (IPTs) are allowed, in compliance with SOPs of the relevant IPT and movement requires an authorisation letter from the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) or the relevant IPT.
  • Movement of lecturers / teachers / instructors involved in providing lessons for the purpose of Teaching and Learning of the classes related to an examination is allowed with an authorisation letter from KPM and KPT.
  • Movement for the admission of students to their dormitories for the attendance of examination classes set by the KPM and KPT are ALLOWED with an authorisation letter from KPM and KPT.
  • Students who need to return to campus must acquire a authorisation letter from their IPT for inter-state or inter-district travel.
  • Movement in / out of MCO areas for emergency cases such as deaths are allowed after obtaining permission from PDRM.
  • Movement in / out of MCO areas for emergency cases such as natural disasters is allowed.
  • The humanitarian disaster relief movement by NGOs requires permission from the State Disaster Management Committee or District Disaster Management Committee in areas affected with disasters and such assistance is channeled through the Disaster Operations Control Center (PKOB) of the affected area.
  • State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament are allowed to cross their respective districts and states during the MCO period for the purpose of official business or visiting constituencies.
  • PCA and RGL between Malaysia and Singapore continues based on the existing agreement.
Credit: Malay Mail

Activities Within MCO Areas

  • Restaurants, shops / food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, circulating hawkers, food courts / hawker centers, roadside stalls / kiosks are ALLOWED to operate from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
  • Food sales activities are allowed by dine-in, take-away, drive-through or delivery from 6.00 am to 10:00 pm. Dine-in is allowed according to the capacity of the table with physical distancing of at least 1 meter between customers.
  • Grocery stores and convenience stores are allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
  • Hospitals, clinics, and medical laboratories can operate for 24 hours (a day) or according to their operating license.
  • Pharmacies can operate from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
  • Daily necessities stores can operate from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
  • Petrol stations can operate from 6.00 am until 10.00 pm except for petrol stations on highways which can operate for 24 hours (a day).
  • Daily markets, farmers markets, public markets, and weekly markets are allowed to operate from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm.
  • Night markets are allowed to operate from 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm with SOP compliance and supervision of RELA or PBT officers.
  • Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to operate from 12.00 am to 6.00 am and 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.
  • Veterinary clinics and pet food stores can operate from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
  • Dry-cleaners , opticians, car wash, barber shop and salons (barber services only) are allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
  • Self-service laundromats must ensure that employees are on the premises in compliance with the prescribed SOPs.
  • Other activities approved by the Ministry / Agency / Local Government are allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.

Authorization Of Operations And Movements Of Public And Private Services

  • All economic and business sectors approved by the relevant Ministries / Agencies can operate during the MCO period. Employee movement is subject to registration / operation approval letter and employee pass / employer confirmation letter.
  • The movement for official Government business must be accompanied by an employer confirmation document.
  • Attendance capacity of employees for the civil service is based on the Public Service Department (JPA) Circular / Instruction. Meanwhile, the private sector is based on 30% of the Management and the number of operating / support employees is set by the employer.

General Health Protocols

  • The owner of the premise ensures control of the entry and exit of customers to the premises with a physical distancing of 1 meter.
  • Hand sanitizer is provided at the entry and must be used before entering.
  • The licensee and the owner of the premises are required to provide MySejahtera QR code facilities and provide customer attendance registration books.
  • The use of the MySejahtera application is mandatory in areas of wide ​​internet access. Exceptions are given for areas that do not have internet access, especially in rural and inland areas.
  • The licensee and the owner of the premises ensure that customers check in at the premises using MySejahtera or by manually writing the name and phone number as well as scanning body temperatures. A body with temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius is NOT ALLOWED to enter the premises. The owner of the premises must ensure that only customers with “Low Risk” status in MySejahtera are allowed to enter their respective premises.
  • The licensee and the owner of the premises limit the number of customers in the premises with a physical distancing of 1 meter radius at a time and must display the maximum number of customers in the premises.
  • Employees, suppliers and customers are required to wear face masks properly according to MOH recommendations while on premises.
  • Ensure good ventilation and ventilation system on the premises.
  • It is mandatory to wear face mask, especially when in a crowded public place EXCEPT for the following activities and places:
    • Own residence and involving members of the same household;
    • Private Hotel / Accommodation Room and includes members of the same household;
    • Solitary workspace;
    • Indoor and Outdoor sports and recreational activities;
    • Own vehicle and involving members of the same household;
    • Public areas and places both indoor and outdoor without any other individuals; and
    • When eating and drinking in public places without any other individuals.

Meetings

  • Face-to-face meetings of Government and private agencies involving the presence of representatives of external agencies are NOT ALLOWED and must be conducted by video conference.
Credit: Freepik

Religious Activities

  • Islamic religious activities such as Friday prayers and congregational prayers at mosques / suraus, knowledge gatherings, marriage vows and funerals are ALLOWED in accordance with the ruling of the State Religious Authority.
  • Non-Muslim houses of worship are ALLOWED subject to the Ministry of National Unity, and subject to the Federal Territories Ministry (KWP) for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
  • Islamic wedding ceremony (nikah) in the religious department and mosque is ALLOWED with attendance in accordance with the ruling of the State Religious Authority.
  • The registration of marriages for non-Muslims at the National Registration Department (JPN) is ALLOWED with attendance in accordance with the decision of JPN.
Firdaus Latif/Malay Mail

Day Care And Child Care Centers, Nurseries, And Kindergartens

  • Childcare centres, taska, tabika, and tadika are ALLOWED to operate with the approval of relevant Ministry / Agency.
  • Parents and guardians sending their children to childcare centres in vehicles are allowed to transport the number of child passengers according to the vehicle’s capacity.
  • Day care centres for the Disabled (OKU), the Elderly, Women, and Miscellaneous Care Centers are allowed to operate during the MCO period.
Credit: Rainier Ridao/Unsplash

Sports and Leisure Activities

  • Non-physical contact sports and recreational activities conducted in open and enclosed areas for training for health, fitness and self-skills purposes.
  • Sports and recreational activities must comply with 1 – 3 meter physical distancing.
  • The operation of closed and semi-closed facilities / premises must have supervisory control throughout the operation period.
  • Organizing friend tournaments / competitions / matches according to the Sports Bubble model is RESTRICTED to the organising of the Malaysian Football League (MFL), Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) and Sepak Takraw League (STL) only without the presence of spectators.
  • Quarantine Centralized Training Program for teams in MFL, MHL and STL using Sports Bubble model (Sports Bubble: Home Based Training or Camp Based Training).
  • The existing quarantine-based Central Training Program is implemented by the National Sports Council of Malaysia (MSN) and the State Sports Councils are implemented with the concept of “Camp Based Training”.

Social Activities

  • Official and Informal Ceremonies of Government and Private Societies, Social events such as wedding ceremonies and engagement ceremonies, aqiqah, doa selamat, tahlil, birthday celebrations, reunions, retreats and other social events are NOT ALLOWED.
  • Face-to-face meetings of Government and private agencies involving the presence of representatives of external agencies are NOT ALLOWED and can be implemented through video conferencing.
  • Seminars / Workshops / Courses / Training / Conferences / Talks / Exhibitions and activities related to Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) are NOT ALLOWED.

Creative Industry

  • Recording activities for music, concerts, filming, talkshows and the like are ALLOWED for indoor recording (studio) RESTRICTED in PKP area only with a minimum number of crew and WITHOUT AUDIENCE and comply with the Creative Industry SOP.
  • Indoor busking activities in building premises, cafes, food courts and locations that not totally opened are ALLOWED.

Other Activities

  • Driving Institutes and Aviation Training Centers are allowed to operate during the MCO period based on the SOP provided by the Transport Ministry.
  • Fishing activities are allowed to operate during the MCO period based on the SOP provided by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.
  • Other matters decided by the Government from time-to-time.

List of prohibited activities (Negative List)

Economic Activities

  • SPA and reflexology operations.

Entertainment Activities

  • Activities at nightclubs or pubs.
  • Activities at theme parks, indoor playgrounds, family karaoke and cinemas.

Sports and Recreation Activities

  • The operation of premises / sports facilities WITHOUT supervisor control.
  • Tournament / competition activities other than MFL, MHL and STL.
  • Mass activities that involve public participation at the same time such as Fun Runs, Fun Rides, Marathons and Triathlons.
  • Activities carried out outside the area where the movement control is enforced unless authorisation is obtained.

Tourism Activities

  • Outbound / inbound tourism activities in MCO areas and in EMCO areas.
  • Overseas tourism activities by citizens and domestic tourism activities involving foreign tourists entering Malaysia except foreign tourists from countries specified by the Minister.

Others Not Allowed

  • Any activity that may cause many people to be present in a place that makes it difficult for physical distancing and compliance with the instructions of the Director General of Health.
  • Other matters decided by the Government from time to time.

For more information, you can take a look at the official SOPs in Bahasa Malaysia, or check out the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (Movement Control) Regulations 2021.

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