Malaysia's movement control order: Singapore hopes for some flexibility

As the clock is ticking to the deadline for Malaysia's movement control order to take effect by midnight tonight, Singapore is hoping to be given more time.

"We are in touch with the Malaysian side to see if some flexibility can be obtained beyond tonight.. maybe one or two days to allow for that transition to happen," said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.

".. that conversation is still ongoing," he told a press conference by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce to update on the local situation of the COVID-19 infection here.

Malaysia had on Monday decided to implement a nationwide movement control order beginning March 18 until March 31, 2020, to contain the COVID-19 spread.

This order encompasses among others, a complete travel restriction for all Malaysians going overseas as well as acomplete restriction of foreign visitors and tourists into Malaysia.

These have affected both work pass holders and Singapore citizens as well as permanent residents who commute daily from Malaysia.

At press time, massive jam was seen on both checkpoints - Woodlands and Tuas - few hours before the land entrances are closed to human travel.

As Singapore to consider locking down the republic, Wong said it could not be ruled out, although this was not a current consideration.

"We have always said that we need to consider a whole range of measures and not rule anything out.

"We could potentially consider a major circuit breaker that doesn't entail a lockdown, but entails school closures, workplaces, on a temporary basis, for two to three weeks just like Malaysia, but it doesn't mean a lockdown, just suspension of activities.

"That's a whole range we have in our toolkit. We will adjust our measures...if we are vigilant, and implement them effectively, we won't have to lock down our city," he said.

-- BERNAMA