Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last night explained that the Movement Control Order that took effect yesterday is aimed at breaking the chain of infection to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
He said throughout the two-week order until March 31, the people would not be able to freely move around, limiting the chances of them contracting the virus.
He said the virus spreads through close contact, and if the people were still freely moving around, what more in crowded places, chances are high that there will be close human contact,” he said in a special address to the nation telecast live on local television stations.
Explaining why the preventive measure had to be carried out over two weeks, the prime minister said this was because COVID-19 has a 14-day incubation period.
Muhyiddin said there were even cases where symptoms emerged after that period.
“The government hopes that once the two-week period is over, those with symptoms will be successfully isolated to undergo treatment, in the process leading to a Covid-19 free Malaysia,” he said.
He said it is for this reason that the government shut down schools and why the people need to stay away from their workplaces, so that they will not be in close contact with those who may be infected with Covid-19.
“You also need not go to work so that you will not have close contact with others who may be carrying the virus. This is the reason why,” the prime minister said. – Bernama