POLICE have withdrawn the interstate travel restriction, intended to curb the spread of Covid-19, hours after announcing it would come into effect at midnight tonight.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador told The Malaysian Insight people are free to travel to other states without any restrictions until a new decision is made tomorrow.

“Police have withdrawn the restriction and the public can travel freely tonight.

“No restrictions will be placed on them until a new decision is announced tomorrow after a meeting on the matter is held,” Abdul Hamid said.

The IGP also issued a similar statement to Berita Harian tonight.

The postponement comes after long queues formed outside police stations this evening as people rushed to get clearance from the police for travel to other states during two-week movement control order that begins tomorrow.

The order, announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, restricts public gatherings and Malaysians from travelling abroad up to March 31, while foreign visitors are barred from entering the country during the same period.

Interstate travel is permitted, but Hamid this afternoon said people need to declare their travel plans to the police by filling in a form at their nearest police station.

This resulted in long queues forming outside police stations tonight. – March 17, 2020.