Summary of Restriction Order Movement
18 March 2019 - Yesterday, the government had announced that the Restriction Order Movement (ROM) is in place, under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988, and the Police Act 1967, thereby preventing all major gathering in hope that the spread of the COVID-19 infection would reduce.
Here are the key elements of the ROM.
Regarding the full announcement, here is the translated version:
First, the general prohibition of mass movements and gatherings across the country including religious, sports, social and cultural activities. To enforce this prohibition, all houses of worship and business premises should be closed, except for supermarkets, public markets, grocery stores and convenience stores selling everyday necessities. Specifically for Muslims, the adjournment of all religious activities in mosques and mosques including Friday prayers is in line with the decision of the Special Mental Health Committee meeting on March 15, 2020.
Secondly, the sanctions cover all Malaysians traveling abroad. For those who have just returned from overseas, they are required to undergo a health check and to do a quarantine (or self quarantine) for 14 days;
Third, restrictions on the entry of all tourists and foreign visitors into the country;
Fourth, closure of all kindergartens, government and private schools including daily schools, boarding schools, international schools, tahfiz centers and other primary, secondary and pre-university institutions;
Fifth, the closure of all public and private higher education institutions (IPTs) and skills training institutes nationwide; and
Sixth, the closure of all government and private premises except those involved in essential services (water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel, lubricants, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmacy, fire, prison, port, airport, safety, defense, cleaning, retail and food supply.
- New Straits Times, 2020
In view of recent developments, we urge the public to obey by the ROM. There is no need to purchase anything in bulk. Essential services remain accessible.
The health ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre has hotlines at 03-8881 0200, 03-8881 0600 and 03-8881 0700. The email address is: cprc@moh.gov.my
References
‘Health DG: Movement control can boost ministry's fight against Covid-19’, The Star, 17 March 2020. Available at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/17/health-dg-movement-control-can-boost-ministry039s-fight-against-covid-19. (Accessed 18 March 2020)
‘PM's Movement Control Order speech in English’, New Straits Time, 17 March 2020. Available at https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/575372/full-text-pms-movement-control-order-speech-english. (Accessed 18 March 2020)
‘Think you have Covid-19? Call crisis centre, says MMA’, Free Malaysia Today, 15 March 2020. Available at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/03/15/think-you-have-covid-19-call-crisis-centre-says-mma/. (Accessed 18 March 2020)