KUALA LUMPUR: The international community is monitoring and keeping abreast of the latest situation in Malaysia following the country’s issuance of restricted movement order to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Some embassies have indicated their understanding of the order and are holding internal discussions, while others are awaiting instructions from their capitals.
The Chinese embassy, for instance, said it would operate as usual when asked on any expected impact stemming from the restricted movement order.
“Any additional advisory to Chinese nationals (in Malaysia) will be issued by the Consular Department,” a spokesman said.
As for the Thai embassy, an official said it had shortened working hours.
He also said that the embassy was seeking clarification from Wisma Putra on certain matters, particularly the status of Thais working in Malaysia.
The British embassy said that its priority would be on supporting British nationals who may need help in Malaysia.
“We will be starting a work-from-home for most staff members to honour the Malaysian government’s movement restriction order,” said an officer.
An official with the Indian High Commission informed that they are awaiting further instructions from New Delhi while a Taiwan embassy official said that the office runs as usual.
“At this moment, we hope all Taiwan nationals may pay attention to related announcement from the Malaysian government and follow due regulations,” he said.
The embassy of Iran said that it would inform their nationals through its website and social media regarding the latest restrictions.
“Iranians here who are mainly students would have to follow their universities’ regulations. They must observe the rules in relations to local guidelines,” said an official.
A senior officer of the Colombia embassy said they were observing all instructions given by the local government and by their government.
“We are attending to local Colombian community via our virtual channels of communication that we have in place,” he said, saying that the Colombian community expressed total understanding about the situation.
A Mexico embassy official said that they were still discussing matters on the order while the Pakistan embassy was reviewing its operations.