CMCO Guidelines: How to Manoeuvre Malaysia’s Second Lockdown
The sudden Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) that comes into effect tonight has upset many with the abruptness and lack of clear guidelines.
Navigating your way around these confusing times, especially in major areas such as Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley may be difficult, but we are here with you!
Here are some important things to know about functioning in the CMCO period.
1. Grocery and Essential shopping
You may not have expected to stock up on pantry things so soon, but here’s a list on things to get to ride this next wave out.
Only two people per household are permitted to go essential shopping at a given time, but designating one person and curating a list beforehand will be helpful.
Take note of the operating hours most businesses must adhere to in the list below:
- Daily markets – 6am to 2pm.
- Wholesale markets – 4am – 2pm.
- Farmer markets – 6am – 12pm.
- Night markets – 4pm – 10 pm.
- Food delivery – 6am – 12am.
- Petrol stations – 6am – 10pm (excluding petrol stations on highways, open 24 hours.)
- F&B businesses, including grocery and convenience stores – 6am – 10pm.
- All public transport services are operating.
- Clinics and hospitals (government and private) – 24 hours
- Pharmacies – 8am – 11pm
2. Crossing districts
With so much major construction, relabeling street names and townships have caused much confusion on where certain districts begin and end.
Follow this link to see where you are located district-wise and get a police-sanctioned permit to travel between areas here.
At the moment, Work From Home (WFH) operations are preferred. But if you do have to go to office for any reason, be sure to have an employment pass or a letter from your boss presentable.
3. Food
Like in the early MCO months, F&B outlets are made to enforce strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Some businesses are choosing to completely abandon dine-in options. Drive-throughs, deliveries, and takeaways are to be prioritized.
Some outlets are still open to dine-ins, but the latest SOPs relegate this to only two seating per table. You might want to rethink dinner date nights to be a home pizza party for two instead!
4. Activities
All leisure, recreational, cultural, and tourism activities are barred under the CMCO SOPs. No jogging, swimming, or sight-seeing is allowed. You might be confused as to why individual sports and non-contact sports like we are, but the main principle still stands.
Maintain a strict social distancing practice, wash and sanitize yourself and belongings frequently, don’t take off your mask outside, and hang in there! The CMCO is projected to be in effect from now until the 27th of October (two weeks long) so lets work together to get the numbers back down again to manageable levels.
Hom is here to help make your life easier, from social distancing guides to practice with housemates, or to fix you up with an easy living space in these desperate times. Click here to find out more.