Lockdown vs. Movement Restriction Order

Without a doubt, the pandemic instilled fear and panic all around the world. As the number of cases escalates, countries like China, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain have already implemented the world’s largest and most restrictive mass quarantines, partial lockdowns and total lockdowns.

However, in Malaysia, although Malaysians and tourists aren’t allowed to leave the country, we are not under a lockdown of any sort. The government implemented a Movement Restriction Order instead, where the public is encouraged to stay at home as all public movement and mass gatherings are being restricted, but it is not considered a state of emergency yet. It intensified social distancing and restrictions of movement. According to our former Health Minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, it is “a form of social distancing that can ‘flatten the epidemic curve.”

All businesses are closed down except for essential services like water, gas, and electricity. Malaysians do not have a nationwide curfew and are still allowed to exit their houses to buy personal supplies and essentials. But, it is advisable that everyone acts responsibly and only takes excursions when it is really necessary.

In a nutshell, the differences between the Movement Restriction Order and an actual lockdown is:

To prevent the contagion within our circle of friends and families, we must have self-discipline and try our best to play our part to contain this virus!

We must: 

1. Clean our hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

2. Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with other people, even if they do not show any symptoms.

• Avoid crossing state borders and the ‘balik kampung’. Just stay home.

3. Only purchase items needed

• Do not succumb to the temptation of stocking up on unnecessary things. Be considerate and don’t deprive those who can only afford to buy things daily of such household items.

And remember, the virus does not discriminate.