KUALA LUMPUR: The Movement Control Order (MCO) is extended for another two weeks, but not for the entire country.
The extension is from Feb 19 to March 4 and affects Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made following risk assessment and analysis by the Health Ministry presented during the National Security Council (MKN) special meeting on Covid-19 today.
Meanwhile, other states and Federal Territories previously under the MCO will return to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
Sabah, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kelantan, Perak, Melaka, Kedah, Labuan and Putrajaya will be under CMCO from Feb 19 to March 4.
Perlis is the only state to be placed under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) for the same period as it has recorded a drop in the number of daily Covid-19 cases.
As for Sarawak, the state remains under CMCO from Feb 15 to Mar 1 as previously announced by the state government.
"In general, the Health Ministry said that there has been a downward trend in Covid-19 cases in many states from the fifth week of the year, two weeks after MCO 2.0 was enforced.
"The ministry has also confirmed that there was a downward trend in cases due to the ban on interstate travels from Feb 3.
"However, Covid-19 cases remain high in several states, especially in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang," he said in a press conference.
Ismail Sabri also announced that the two patrons per table limit for dining in MCO areas would continue. However, the restriction has been lifted for CMCO and RMCO areas subject to capacity and the one-meter physical distancing condition.
In CMCO areas, the maximum number of people allowed in vehicles would be based on the vehicle's passenger capacity, he said, adding that further details will be announced on Thursday.
He said social activities in states under CMCO such as weddings and birthday parties would be allowed with a maximum of 50 people in attendance.
Restrictions on MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions) events in states under CMCO have also been lifted, with only 50 per cent of the venue capacity permitted.
"The economic sector in CMCO states is allowed to operate between 6am and midnight. Spas and reflexology centres are also allowed to operate. The detailed SOP is available on the MKN website."
Meanwhile, the 10km travel radius will be lifted, including for MCO areas, but the ban on interstate and interdistrict travel remains. Only those in Perlis would be allowed to travel interdistrict, but interstate travel is not allowed.
He said the government would consider lifting the interdistrict travel ban in MCO areas in the future if the Health Ministry's risk assessment shows that it is safe to do so.
"The Health Ministry had reported that there were 11 or 12 clusters related to interstate travel, hence the decision to bar such travels for now.
"Leeway was given in December for people to return to their hometowns or go for holidays and since then, we have seen cases linked to interstate travels emerge.
"In large states such as Pahang, for instance, many districts are still categorised as red zones. Hence, we can't risk allowing inter-district travel. However, we will get feedback from the Health Ministry. Please be patient for the time being in order to protect our health."