THERE are six criteria that needs to be taken into account before the movement control order (MCO) can be lifted, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

They include border controls to prevent the import of Covid-19 infections, as well as movement control, which includes avoiding crowded places that can spread the coronavirus, he told the daily press briefing on Covid-19 today.

Dr Noor Hisham said it is still unclear if the government will lift the MCO on April 28, as currently scheduled, or extend it.

“We can’t ease border controls as people bring the virus in with them.

“The second criterion, which is movement control… we have seen how it has worked in bringing down the number of cases,” he added.

The third criterion is the capability and capacity of the healthcare system, such as availability of ICU beds, as well as laboratories’ capacity for testing.

The fourth is the ability to protect high-risk groups, such as the elderly, disabled and those with chronic diseases.

Fifth is how well people can adapt to the “new normal”, which includes social distancing, frequent hand-washing and avoiding mass gatherings, and sixth is the ability of people to cooperate with the health authorities in preventing the spread of the virus.

“These six strategies have to be adhered to by all ministries and agencies so that we can see how we can (make) a soft landing towards the exit strategy,” he said, adding it is important for the six criteria to be fulfilled before the MCO is lifted.

Meanwhile, he said that no decision has yet been made on whether to extend the current third phase of the MCO, which expires on April 28.

“We are not sure whether the MCO will be lifted or extended.” 

He also emphasised the need to avoid gatherings.

The MCO was first enforced on March 18, initially for a period of two weeks. It was then extended twice. – April 21, 2020.