KUALA LUMPUR (May 4): Six districts in Selangor — covering areas such as Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Klang, Puchong, Kajang, Cheras, Ampang and Rawang — will be put under the Movement Control Order (MCO) from May 6 to 17 due to the surge in new Covid-19 cases there.
Social activities are disallowed under the new measures, but most economic activities will not be affected, said Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be enforced in the six districts — Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang — will be the same as those enforced in other MCO areas such as Kelantan and the five districts in Kedah.
"Grocery and convenience stores as well as shops selling daily necessities are allowed to operate between 6am and 10pm. Petrol stations are also allowed to operate between 6am and 10pm," Ismail Sabri told a press conference today.
He added that dining premises will be allowed to operate between 6am and midnight in the six districts. They will, however, not be allowed to accept dine-in orders under the National Security Council's (NSC) guidelines on MCO.
Daily markets, including night and morning markets, will be allowed to operate between 6am and 2pm, while Ramadan bazaars are still allowed to operate in line with strict SOPs.
However, Ismail Sabri said the state government has the power to cease Ramadan bazaars, if need be.
According to the NSC website, areas under MCO only allow movement of people for the purpose of buying daily necessities, medical services and official government work.
Crossing districts and state borders is not allowed without permission from the police.
Sports and recreational activities that do not involve physical touch are allowed, as long as the proper SOPs are followed, namely adhering to physical distancing requirements and being carried out in open and closed spaces for the purpose of exercise and health.
Economic activities in MCO areas are allowed to continue, but social activities are not allowed.
Ismail Sabri said work-from-home directives will be announced by the government and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry soon.
He said the remaining three districts in Selangor — Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor — remain under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
Hari Raya Aidilfitri SOPs
The minister also announced SOPs relating to the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Hari Raya prayers are allowed at mosques and suraus in MCO, CMCO, and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) areas, he said, although the final decision lies with the religious authority of each state.
However, the feasts following the prayers at the mosques are not allowed for MCO areas.
Visiting relatives is allowed in MCO areas, but only on the first day of Aidilfitri with guests not exceeding 15 people at one time, while in CMCO areas, it is allowed for the first three days of Aidilfitri with guests limited to up to 25 people at any given time.
On the other hand, visiting graves is not allowed in MCO areas, but allowed for CMCO and RMCO areas, being limited to six people per lot not exceeding 30 minutes.
Areas affected by MCO
The major areas in the six districts placed under the MCO are as follows (certain areas within each district overlap with one another):
Hulu Langat: Kajang, Ampang, Cheras, Bangi, Semenyih, Beranang, Bandar Baru Bangi, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Balakong, Taman Sri Nanding
Petaling: Petaling Jaya, Puchong, Subang Jaya, Damansara, Shah Alam, Bukit Raja, Kota Raja, Bandar Sri Damansara, Country Heights, Puchong, Puchong Jaya, Puchong Perdana, Serdang
Klang: Kapar, Shah Alam, Meru, Bandar Baru Klang, Bukit Kemuning, Pandamaran, Port Klang, Telok Menegun, Glenmarie Cove, Batu 4
Gombak: Gombak, Rawang, Ampang, Setapak, Ulu Klang, Selayang, Kundang, Kuang, Batu Caves, Sungai Buloh, Kampung Sungai Pusu
Kuala Langat: Bandar Saujana Putra, Banting, Batu, Jugra, Teluk Datok, Morib, Tanjung Sepat, Teluk Panglima Garang
Sepang: Pekan Sepang, Dengkil, Sungai Pelek, Cyberjaya, Salak Tinggi, KLIA