PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today announced that the government would conditionally allow more economic sectors to reopen during the movement control order period.

This is to allow people to restart their lives after being confined at home for more than 40 days.

He said that during the shutdown, the country lost RM2.6 billion a day. He said about RM63 billion has been lost since March 18, when the order was enforced.

“If we extend the MCO for another month, the country will lose another RM35 billion, resulting in total losses of RM98 billion,” Muhyiddin said in a Labour Day address broadcast live on national and satellite TV.

“After studying the data we have gathered, the government has agreed to reopen nearly all economic sectors and businesses while enforcing strict health conditions, effective May 4.

“Starting May 4, almost all sectors of the economy and businesses will be allowed to operate subject to the conditions and SOPs set by the authorities.”

He called the relaxation of rules a “conditional movement control order”, or Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat.

Trades and businesses that allow close contact will remain shuttered, however. This includes Ramadan bazaars. 

Interstate travel, including trips back to the hometown for Hari Raya, remains prohibited.

In sports, close contact sports such as football are not permitted.

“But you can play badminton,” said the prime minister.

Under the conditional MCO, restaurants will be allowed to open but with strict orders for social distancing.

Schools will stay closed. – May 1, 2020.