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DPA
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian police have arrested at least 1,100 people for violating a lockdown aimed at curbing a recent spike in the number of coronavirus cases.
At 2,626 confirmed infections, Malaysia has the highest national total in South-East Asia.
During a Monday press conference, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that 828 people were arrested on Sunday for breaching movement restrictions imposed on March 18.
Police had earlier announced over 300 arrests for alleged violations such as jogging and playing football.
One suspect, a 61-year-old cardiologist, told police that running should be permitted for health reasons. A video of the encounter went viral on Malaysian social media last week. The suspect pleaded not guilty in court on Monday.
Giving notice of further restrictions aimed at halting the spread of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus pandemic that has killed about 35,000 worldwide, Ismail said shops will reduce operating hours from Wednesday.
“All supermarkets or any premises selling essential items shall observe the new operation hours, which [are] from 8am to 8pm,” the minister said.
The lockdown in Malaysia includes closing borders and most businesses. The government has repeatedly warned people to stay at home unless venturing out to shops, markets, pharmacies or other purveyors of essential goods.
Restaurants are permitted to operate, but only as take-away or delivery outlets.
Though some taxis still ply their trade, and employees in permitted sectors such as banks and utilities drive to and from work, most of Kuala Lumpur’s sparse traffic is comprised of food delivery couriers.
Ismail used his Monday press conference to dispense some “social distancing” counsel, suggesting that couriers should leave deliveries at customers’ doors.
“We should try to avoid contact with other people, in order to reduce the chances of spreading the virus,” he said.
On Monday evening the Health Ministry said that two more people had died after contracting Covid-19, taking Malaysia’s death toll to 37.
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian police have arrested at least 1,100 people for violating a lockdown aimed at curbing a recent spike in the number of coronavirus cases.
At 2,626 confirmed infections, Malaysia has the highest national total in South-East Asia.
During a Monday press conference, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that 828 people were arrested on Sunday for breaching movement restrictions imposed on March 18.
Police had earlier announced over 300 arrests for alleged violations such as jogging and playing football.
One suspect, a 61-year-old cardiologist, told police that running should be permitted for health reasons. A video of the encounter went viral on Malaysian social media last week. The suspect pleaded not guilty in court on Monday.
Giving notice of further restrictions aimed at halting the spread of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus pandemic that has killed about 35,000 worldwide, Ismail said shops will reduce operating hours from Wednesday.
“All supermarkets or any premises selling essential items shall observe the new operation hours, which [are] from 8am to 8pm,” the minister said.
The lockdown in Malaysia includes closing borders and most businesses. The government has repeatedly warned people to stay at home unless venturing out to shops, markets, pharmacies or other purveyors of essential goods.
Restaurants are permitted to operate, but only as take-away or delivery outlets.
Though some taxis still ply their trade, and employees in permitted sectors such as banks and utilities drive to and from work, most of Kuala Lumpur’s sparse traffic is comprised of food delivery couriers.
Ismail used his Monday press conference to dispense some “social distancing” counsel, suggesting that couriers should leave deliveries at customers’ doors.
“We should try to avoid contact with other people, in order to reduce the chances of spreading the virus,” he said.
On Monday evening the Health Ministry said that two more people had died after contracting Covid-19, taking Malaysia’s death toll to 37.
