KUALA LUMPUR: The government has banned all gatherings, including international meetings, sporting events, social and religious assemblies until April 30 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the directive is for these gatherings to be either postponed or cancelled until the situation has improved.
“This decision will be reviewed if the Covid-19 situation improves. Yesterday, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs issued a guideline for obligations conducted at mosques to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
"I hope that the Islamic religious authorities in all the states will also release similar guidelines in accordance with advisories from the Health Ministry,” he said.
“Events for other faiths involving large-scale assemblies must also be reviewed based on the advice given by the Health Ministry.” -- Additional reporting by Tharanya Arumugam
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the government is working to add the number of hospitals handling Covid-19 cases in anticipation of a spike in the outbreak.
He said there will be 83 hospitals nationwide handling the pandemic with 170 health clinics.
“To date, a total of 26 government hospitals and a university hospital - UMMC (University Malaya Medical Centre) - are equipped to handle Covid-19 cases.
Additionally, collaboration with private hospitals and hospitals under the Defence Ministry has commenced.
“There are also 57 hospitals and 170 health clinics across the country that carry out health screening. The Sungai Buloh Hospital is designated as a special hospital to treat Covid-19. This includes 22 labs under the Health Ministry and other labs under Defence, and Agriculture and Food Industries ministries,” he said.
In the special address, he also said that cruise ships will only be allowed to dock in the country to take on supplies.
"Only Malaysian crew members will be allowed to disembark, and they will be required to go through health screening." he said.