page_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
section_title: Movement Control Order
hierarchical_section_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia / Preventive measures by government / Movement Control Order
caption_attribution_description: English: Temperature checkup in Kuala Lumpur during movement control
context_page_description: The COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached Malaysia in January 2020, when it was detected on travellers from China arriving via Singapore on 25 January, following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Hubei, China. Reported cases remained relatively low and were largely confined to imported cases, until localised clusters began to emerge in March; the largest cluster was linked to a Tablighi Jamaat religious gathering held in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur in late February and early March, leading to massive spikes in local cases and an exportation of cases to neighbouring countries. Within a few weeks, Malaysia had recorded the largest cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Southeast Asia, breaching the 2,000 active cases mark by the end of March, from fewer than 30 cases at the beginning of the month. By 16 March, the virus was reported in every state and federal territory in the country.
context_section_description: Beginning from 15 March, Malaysia saw a significant jump in active cases. The Prime Minister of Malaysia held a live nationwide telecast on 16 March 2020 at 10:00 pm (UTC+8) to announce the decision of the federal government in implementing the Movement Control Order (MCO). Based on the live addressing that evening, six restrictions have been imposed:
  The public is prohibited to mass gather or attend massive events including religious, sports, social and cultural activities. All worshiping locations and business premises should be closed except for supermarkets, public markets, grocery stores and convenience stores that sells everyday necessities. For Muslims, all religious activities in mosques including Friday prayers are adjourned in line with decision made on 15 March 2020 by the Special Muzakarah Committee Meeting of the National Fatwa Council.
  Malaysians returning from abroad are required to undergo health check and self-quarantine for 14 days.
  Tourists and foreign visitors are restricted to enter the country.
  Closure of all kindergartens, government and private schools, including daily schools, boarding schools, international schools, tahfiz centres and other primary, secondary and pre-university institutions.
  Closure of all public and private higher education institution (IPTs) and skill training institutes.
  Closure of all government and private premises except for essential services (water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel, lubricants, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmacy, fire, prison, port, airport, safety, defence, cleaning, retail and food supply).
  The order was originally to be in effect from 18 March to 31 March, but has been extended four times as additional two-week "phases" over the course of two months.:
  Phase 2, announced on 25 March, extends the MCO to 14 April, as new cases continued to climb.
  Phase 3, announced on 10 April, extends the MCO to 28 April, as the number of cases was projected by the WHO to peak in mid-April.
  Phase 4, announced on 23 April, extends the MCO to 12 May.
  On 10 May, the Conditional Movement Control Order was extended until 9 June, the fourth extension since 18 March. Unlike the others, this extension is scheduled to last about a month.
  On 6 June, the Director-General confirmed that the movement control order would remain in force since Malaysia is still being monitored under the Prevention and Control of Infections Diseases Act 1988. On 7 June, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the Conditional Movement Control Order would end on 9 June, with the country moving into the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) phase for the rest of 2020.
caption: Temperature checkup at a McDonald's restaurant in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur during movement control order.
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