ONLY one person from each family, namely the head of the household, will be allowed to go out to buy food and other essential items during the movement control order, said senior minister Fadillah Yusof.

The works minister said this is part of the guidelines of the control order imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“But if they have to bring someone along, they have to explain to the police. This will be at the discretion of the police,” he said, adding that from a policy perspective, only one person from a family is allowed outside at a time.

“For example, if you’re attending a funeral, you will have to explain it to the police.”

This, he said, is to restrict the movement of the public.

He also reminded the public to always adhere to the guidelines of the Health Ministry by only going out when there is a need, maintaining hygiene and social distancing at all times to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Fadillah said state governments now have the power to decide on the operation hours of shops selling essential items.

Putrajaya imposed a two-week movement control order since Wednesday in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly disease.

The army is expected to help the police enforce the order from tomorrow.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia has exceeded 1,030 with three fatalities reported. – March 21, 2020.