COVID-19: Do not be complacent or defy MCO though cases declining - Dr Noor Hisham

The Ministry of Health has urged the people to take seriously the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) even as it has begun to show positive developments in the declining number of new cases.

Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry was worried the people would be complacent and took for granted the MCO, which was into its third phase, thinking that the COVID-19 outbreak was almost over.

“Malaysians must continue to comply with the MCO although the progress in the declining number of cases has been positive but the community still needs to stay at home.

"In addition, they should practise social distancing of at least a metre away from others and continue to emphasise on high personal hygiene such as washing hands frequently," he said at a COVID-19 daily media conference here today.

Earlier, Dr Noor Hisham announced that 54 new cases were recorded within the last 24 hours -- the lowest number since the MCO came into force -- with two new deaths.

However, he said compliance with the MCO was crucial to ensure efforts to break the COVID-19 infection chain were not in vain.

"The MOH will continue to monitor the progress of COVID-19 through information obtained and will keep the people informed from time to time," he added.