KUALA LUMPUR (March 17): The Ministry of Health (MoH) has today announced two deaths from the Covid-19 cases (178th and 358th cases) reported to the Crises Preparedness and Response Centre.
There are 120 new confirmed infections, bringing the tally to 673 cases in the country.
In a statement, Health Minister Datuk Seri Adham Baba revealed that the first death is in Johor Bahru. The deceased was 34 years old and had attended the tabligh assembly in the Sri Petaling Mosque, while the second death was a priest in Sarawak with a history of chronic illness.
“To date, 12 cases of positive Covid-19 are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on the breathing assistance support,” Adham said in the statement.
He added that seven cases have recovered and most of the patients are allowed to be discharged today.
Selangor has recorded the highest number of cases at 161, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (117), Sabah (82) and Johor (72).
Movement restriction order starting tomorrow (March 18)
Considering the rising number of Covid-19 cases, Malaysia will shut its borders, restrict internal movement, close schools, universities and most businesses starting tomorrow for two weeks.
The MoH has urged the public to comply with all regulations relating to the order starting tomorrow until March 31.
Any failure to comply with any of those instructions may result in a conviction under Section 24 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
For the first offence, individuals can be jailed for up to two years or fined, or both respectively.
For the second or subsequent offences, individuals may be imprisoned for a maximum of two years or fined, or both respectively. Meanwhile, further offences are punishable by a fine not exceeding RM200 for the mistake that continues every day.
Malaysia will bar people from crossing the border to Singapore as part of travel curbs to rein in the spread of the coronavirus.
Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud confirmed that Malaysians who commute daily to Singapore for work will not be allowed to do so starting tomorrow until the end of the month.
In addition, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador has appealed to all Malaysians who need to travel between states or districts to inform the police and obtain a permit to do so.
Abdul Hamid told a press conference that Malaysians may bring the necessary documents to the police station, to show cause as to why they need to travel — such as to visit sick family members or to pick up their underaged children.