PETALING JAYA: A nationwide full lockdown will take place from June 1-14.
All sectors will not be allowed to operate during this period except for essential economic and service sectors.
The decision was made during a special National Security Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) yesterday.
A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the decision was made following the sharp increase of Covid-19 cases yesterday, which saw 8,290 new cases, adding up to over 70,000 active cases.
“As of today, 2,552 people have died from this virus, and the death toll continues to rise.
“The existence of new and more aggressive variants, which are highly infectious, also influenced today’s decision.
“With the steep rise in numbers, our hospital capacity to treat Covid-19 patients nationwide is also becoming increasingly limited, ” read the statement.
Should the 14-day “Phase One” lockdown succeed in reducing daily case numbers, the government will move to a four-week Phase Two, where economic sectors may resume where physical distancing is possible and no large gatherings are involved.
That will be followed by Phase Three, which PMO said is similar to the movement control order currently in effect, where no social activities are allowed, but most economic sectors may resume.
“However, the decision to move from one phase to the next will be based on risk assessments by the Health Ministry.
“These assessments will be based on the number of daily cases and nationwide hospital capacity to treat Covid-19 patients, ” it added.
PMO also assured that the government will prevent the country’s public health system from collapsing, and that the Finance Ministry will soon announce aid packages for affected people and economic sectors.
Vaccine administration will also be increased in the coming weeks to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible.
When contacted, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the vaccination drive would continue as usual during the two-week period.
“It will continue and be stepped up as this is essential, ” he said.
The PMO statement ended with a call for Malaysians to stay disciplined and adhere to standard operating procedures put in place to break the chain of infections.
“The best is for us to stay at home to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infections, ” it said.
