STATES are allowed to adjust standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the conditional movement-control order (MCO), which comes into effect tomorrow, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

However, he said any adjustment must be within the general guidelines released by Putrajaya.

Ismail Sabri said this was agreed upon at the National Security Council meeting last week, which was chaired by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, and attended by menteris besar and chief ministers.

“We have released general guidelines and SOPs for the whole nation.

“We have agreed that states can adjust the SOPs to their respective states and districts, but it must be in line with the guidelines released by the federal government,” he said in his daily Covid 19 briefing earlier today, in response to four states rejecting the conditional MCO announced on Friday.

Ismail Sabri said the government will reinforce the MCO locally, should there be a spike in cases following the relaxing of the restrictions tomorrow, not nationwide.

Meanwhile, he also reminded the public to continue to practise social distancing and good hygiene while out and about to protect themselves from the virus and to break the chain of infection.

He also advised members of the public to refrain from going out if they do not have the need to do so.

“If there is no need to go out, then please avoid being in public places,” he added.

Citing Taiwan as an example, Ismail said the country had managed to keep the toll of infections and deaths down despite not going under a lockdown, due to strict self-regulation.

Pahang, Kedah, Selangor and Sarawak have decided to not proceed with the conditional MCO tomorrow. – May 3, 2020.