THE number of services deemed essential under the movement-control order (MCO) has been reduced to 10 in a new federal gazette, as Malaysia tightens controls to stem the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the March 31 gazette signed by Health Minister Dr Adham Baba, the schedule of essential services is as follows:

1. Food

2. Water

3. Energy

4. Communications and internet

5. Security and defence

6. Solid waste and public cleansing management and sewerage

7. Healthcare and medical, including dietary supplements

8. Banking and finance

9. E-commerce

10. Logistics confined to the provision of essential services

The schedule comes under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) (No. 2) Regulations 2020.

The regulations define “essential services” as including any activity or process in the supply chain of each of the services.

In a gazette on March 18, the first day of the MCO’s implementation, 22 services were listed as essential.

The second phase of the MCO begins today and will last till April 14.

Services dropped from the latest gazette include fire services; port, dock and airport services; prison; production and other activities related to the supply and distribution of fuel and lubricants; wildlife; immigration; customs; and, hotels and accommodation. – April 1, 2020.