PUTRAJAYA will decide whether to extend the movement control order (MCO) sometime next week, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the National Security Council will meet again before March 31 to decide if the current measures taken have been sufficient to curb the Covid-19 spread.

“Whether we extend the MCO or not depends on whether there is progress in the steps taken by the Health Ministry and whether the numbers (infections) come down.”

“For this to happen, there also needs to be better cooperation from the tabligh attendees who have yet to come forward for testing, “said Muhyiddin.

“Otherwise, we may have to extend it by another week or two.”

The prime minister was responding to a question on whether the government will extend the MCO.

“This began on March 18 and while compliance has reached 90%, there are still people who don’t comply.”

For the MCO to be effective, it has to minimise movement, he added.

“So please only go out to buy your necessities and then return quickly. If we minimise contact during the MCO, we can stop it from being spread to others.

“Once again, I appeal to all to stay at home.”

On March 16, Muhyiddin announced a national MCO from March 18-31 in an attempt to halt the spread of the pandemic. – March 23, 2020.