WITH congestion expected on major highways this weekend as people head back to their hometowns, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has reminded motorists to follow precautions against Covid-19 transmissions when stopping at highway rest stops.

The surge in traffic is expected now that the government has lifted the interstate travel ban after nearly three months since the movement-control order (MCO) began on March 18.

“Highways will be packed with vehicles over the weekends. The number of vehicles will be higher as the weekend approaches.

“Follow the standard operating procedures at the rest stops, especially at the toilets, surau and restaurants. The public will be required to fill up their names when entering a store and get their temperature checked,” he said at the daily briefing on Covid-19 security matters today.

Restaurants at highway rest stops will be opened from 6am to 12pm to accommodate motorists, he added.

The interstate travel ban was lifted last Wednesday as Malaysia entered the recovery MCO (RMCO), which replaces the conditional MCO that ended on June 10.

The RMCO will be enforced until August 31. – June 12, 2020.