People in Kualar Lumpur, Malaysia, wear face masks (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)Kuala Lumpur(VNA) – Only 60 percent of Malaysians complied with the movement control order(MCO) that came into effect on March 18 to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak, Freemalaysiatoday reported.
Ifthe situation remains out of control, even when the level of compliance standsat 70 percent, most likely the army will be mobilised, Defence Minister IsmailSabri Yaakob told the press on March 19.
Malaysiais restricting movement and mass gatherings from March 18-31 to limit thespread of the disease.
MalaysianPrime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on March 18 called for public cooperation andcompliance, and warned that the order could be extended if the outbreak is not contained.
Regarding the 16,000 people whoparticipated in a mass religious gathering at a mosque in Sri Petaling, KualaLumpur, from February 27 to March 1, Malaysian HealthDirector General Noor Hisham Abdullah said on March 19 that thecountry has so far traced 10,650 of the attendees, with 513 testing positivefor the virus so far.
Malaysian authorities have urged otherparticipants to step forward to undergo health checks by the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, The Star reported that Chinaon March 19 began to send medical supplies to help Malaysia in the fightagainst COVID-19, with the first batch, including ventilators, face masks,test kits and sanitiser, sent to Sungai Buloh Hospital.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia has risen to 790 as of lateMarch 18, with two deaths and 60 having recovered./.
VNA
