Malaysia on Lockdown from Wednesday, March 18

Starting from March, 18, Malaysia will be in a nationwide lockdown, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced today.

In a bid to avoid the spreading of new infections, the government has decided to implement a ‘restriction of movement order’ under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967.

All movements will be restricted nationawide and all business premises will be shut down, except for select supermarkets and grocery stores that sell daily supplies and enterprises that provide essential services including utilities, telecommunications, transport, banking, health, pharmacies, ports, airports, cleaning and food supplies.

What does it mean for travellers, foreign and Malaysian?

All Malaysians will be banned from travelling abroad during the lockdown. As a Malaysia, you will not be able to exit the country no matter how long in advance you trip has been booked.

No tourists and any foreigners in general will be allowed to enter the country during the lockdown. As a foreigner, you will not be able to get into Malaysia, even if you have your trip booked including flights and accommodations.

Prime Minister also said: “We have seen how drastic the cases have increased in so many countries and we don’t want the same thing to happen here. Thus, controlling the movement of the public is the only way to avoid people from being infected,” 

Source