PUTRAJAYA’S movement control order to combat the Covid-19 pandemic will allow a quicker recovery for the local tourism industry, said the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta).

Association president Tan Kok Liang told The Malaysian Insight that the tourism industry has already hit its lowest point and had nothing more to lose.

“We are already at the lowest with countries blacklisting us. (There is) nothing else to lose. Now we can recuperate,” he said.

“With movement control, the road to recovery will be quick and it can rebuild public confidence.

“Without this measure, Covid-19 cases will continue to surge, causing fear of travel, low demand and lots of forward cancellation.”

Hailing the move as timely and wise, Tan said the government had taken a bold and drastic action.

“The sector is slowly dying due to the virus. But with new movement control measures, there is hope of fast recovery.”

From Wednesday, all business and religious activities in the country will be suspended to curb the spread of the coronavirus, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in a special address last night.

“The government has decided to restrict all movements in the whole country from March 18-31,” he said in a national TV broadcast.

 “This step will be taken under the Control of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967.

“I am aware that some will be inconvenienced by these actions but this must be done to stop the spread of Covid-19.” – March 16, 2020.