THERE is no need for panic-buying for Deepavali as shops are allowed to open, said Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. 

No states has been placed under the Movement Control Order (MCO), which is stricter than the conditional MCO placed on all states except Perlis, Pahang, Kelantan and Sarawak. 

Economic activities are allowed under the CMCO.

“Panic-buying will trigger more people gathering at a place and risk exposing everyone to the virus. 

“We have not imposed MCO, we have imposed CMCO, which allows economic sector to operate. 

“So, shops are allowed to be open and there is no need for panic-buying,” Dr Noor Hisham said today after he was asked about people gathering at Indian enclaves, like Brickfields and Klang. 

Last week, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Hindus celebrating Deepavali, which falls on Saturday, are allowed to attend temple prayers on that day and host a limited number of guests for celebrations. 

However, interdistrict and interstate travel are not allowed.

Dr Noor Hisham said the CMCO aims to reduce mass gatherings, which would curb virus transmissions.

Today, Malaysia reported a record 1,345 recoveries, topping the number of new infections, at 972. – November 9, 2020.