THERE will be more roadblocks during the third movement control order (MCO3) as traffic appears to have increased, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Yesterday, the police checked 585,280 vehicles, more than the previous day and caught 1,565 individuals that broke the MCO,” said the senior minister in his daily press briefing in Putrajaya today.

Ismail said police have remanded 1,381 people and released 184 on police bail.

He said increased traffic could be due to people who want to return to their hometowns for the fasting month that is due to begin next week.

“As such, we intend to put up more roadblocks,” said Ismail Sabri.

He said the government’s restrictions on interstate travel still applies. 

On the same note, Ismail said there would be no domestic flights other than those going to Sabah and Sarawak once a week.

“Those who go from Peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak will automatically be quarantined. So too, for those who have had a long transit in the peninsula,” said Ismail.

He said there were still some domestic flights via the Subang airport operated by Firefly, but such travel was strictly on a case-by-case basis.

“Our policy on interstate travel is still the same whether by road, air or sea. Anyone who wants to travel interstate must apply for permission from the police. Otherwise, they will be stopped from boarding the planes.” 

On domestic airlines selling tickets for domestic travel, Ismail said that it is up to them.

“But the airlines can only operate when the government allows it. If they sell now but the government doesn’t allow it, they will still not be able to operate.

He said there will be a new set of SOPs for airlines to follow after the MCO is lifted. – April 18, 2020.