KOTA KINABALU: Sabah today maintained that it would not allow businesses to begin operations tomorrow despite an announcement by the federal government on easing the movement control order (MCO).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the state had decided not to enforce the Conditional MCO as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on May 1.
"Stage 4 of the MCO will continue until May 12. This is to continue efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensure the people do not get exposed to the virus," he said in a statement.
Shafie called on all Sabahans to remain compliant to the current MCO, which came into force since March 18.
Yesterday, Sarawak announced it too would not implement the Conditional MCO and that the state would instead study the implications of reopening economic activities.
Its deputy chief minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) made the decision after it studied changes in regulations in Act 342 (the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988) pursuant to the Prime Minister's announcement.
Amar, who is also the SDMC chairman, stressed the committee must ensure the reopening of economic activities suited the circumstances in Sarawak.