Malaysia tightens restrictions for Hari Raya holidays

Malaysian authorities are tightening Covid-19 measures for six of the nine Selangor districts ahead of the Hari Raya holidays.

CAPE TOWN, May 5 (ANA) – Malaysian authorities announced on Tuesday that they will tighten Covid-19 measures for six of the nine Selangor districts ahead of the Hari Raya holidays.

According to the Straits Times, a Singapore-based publication, restrictions will commence from Thursday, May 6, and will last for 12 days.

Under the first-tier Malaysian Government Movement Control Order (MCO), authorities banned the annual “balik kampung”, which takes place during festive seasons when migrant workers return home to visit their families, and have further banned open houses.

“At the moment, some of the large hot spots in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are shopping malls, food and beverage outlets and bazaars,” Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said during a press conference.

“By identifying these hot spots, premises owners can take early intervention steps, such as testing their workers, strengthening the gatekeeping process and also tightening crowd control,” he said.

Jamaluddin, who is also co-ordinating the country’s immunisation programme, added that the government is rolling out its data-driven Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system, which will warn the public of places to avoid.

On Monday, nearly 1,660 hot spots were identified, from supermarkets to food bazaars.

Meanwhile, according to Channel NewsAsia, Ramadaan bazaars will continue to be allowed to operate, provided the stringent health protocols are adhered to.

At a separate press conference, Malaysian Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri said that a widespread lockdown was not on the cards and that the MCO only applied to Petaling, Hulu Langat, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher