FOOD outlets, convenient stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets can only operate from 8am to 8pm from Wednesday, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.

The same applies for petrol stations, he said, adding that this comes under Phase 2 of the movement control order (MCO).

“The meeting this morning has made the decision. All food outlets, convenient stores, hypermarkets and supermarket including all petrol stations to operate from 8am to 8pm.

“The government also recommends online buying to limit human to human contact.

“If you order food, the delivery man can leave the food outside your gate and you can pick it up after he leaves. We want to avoid contact,” he said.

He said public transportation and e-hailing services can operate from 6am to 10pm.

Ismail said under the second phase of MCO, only one person in each family will be allowed to drive out.

“Only one person from each household is allowed to drive to get to the market or to buy essentials. One car one person,” he said.

Any recreational activities, including religious activities, are still not allowed, he said.

He added that for those who need to undergo therapy sessions, the session must be conducted in one to one manner and not in a group.

“For instance, autistic individuals who need to go for their therapy sessions, they can go but it cannot be done in a group,” he said.

“Any other activity is still not allowed even in gated communities. The law is just for everyone,” he added.

To date, 35 people have died due to Covid-19 and as of noon yesterday, 150 new cases of infection were reported, bringing the total of positive cases to 2,470.

Sixty-eight people have recovered from the novel flu-like disease and have been discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 388.

Globally, the number of infections has reached 664,974, while the death toll has passed 30,000.

Meanwhile, Ismail said the authorities had arrested 828 people violating the MCO.

He said that nearly 68,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide, with more in reserve.

“We have enough male and female officers in reserve if we need to deploy them during the second phase of the MCO.

“As of yesterday, more than 257,000 vehicles had been inspected, with 23 roadblocks at all major tolls and 65 roadblocks nationwide,” he said. – March 30, 2020.