Phase two of MCO from April 1: no lockdown, but more roadblocks – 8am-8pm for supermarkets, restaurants

The government has announced that phase two of the movement control order (MCO), which will introduce stricter enforcement measures, will begin on April 1. This was announced by defence minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob earlier today.

He said that 828 individuals were detained at roadblocks and during patrol rounds yesterday (Sunday), meaning that the police was taking sterner action than before against those who flout the MCO. Still, the aim is to get people being compliant with the order, and stay put where they are.

“Our target is not to increase arrests, our target is to reduce arrests. The more arrests there are everyday, it means that there are still a lot of people out there not complying with the order,” he explained.

He said that a total of 257,287 vehicles were checked at 1,520 roadblocks carried out yesterday, and added that the number of roadblocks is set to increase in phase two. These will include entry points into tolled roads across the country, which have already been increased from 23 at the early stages to 65 at present. The number of roadblocks at toll plazas will continue to increase to 114 in phase two.

Ismail Sabri added that more than 67,000 police, army and Rela personnel were currently deployed for MCO operations, but more resources are available and capable of being introduced at any point if the situation demands it.

He said while phase two will be different than phase one of the MCO in terms of tighter measures, it will still allow for movement, and shops will still be open as per normal, except with some changes to operating hours. He reiterated that phase two is not a full lockdown.

Changes in phase two will include limiting the operating hours for all supermarkets, restaurants doing takeaways and petrol stations, with operating hours from 8 am to 8 pm being uniformly set for all. The ruling covers supermarkets/hypermarkets and all sundry shops, and also includes home deliveries.

Operation hours for public transport (LRT/MRT and stage buses) will remain as last scheduled, from 6 am to 10 am and 5pm to 10 pm daily, while taxis and e-hailing vehicles will be permitted to operate from 6 am to 10 pm. For private indivual vehicles, the one person per car ruling remains.

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