KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 — Following rising cases of locally-transmitted novel coronavirus infection (Covid-19), all international conferences, mass gatherings and sporting events should either be cancelled or postponed, Prime Minister Tan Seri Muhyiddin Yassin announced tonight.
In a special address on the matter, Muhyiddin said the measure to postpone all mass conferences will be imposed until April 30, following which Putrajaya will then review whether to extend it or otherwise depending on the situation.
“That is why the government has decided that all assemblies including international conference, sports, social and religious events be adjourned or cancelled depending on the suitability until April 30, 2020. This decision will be re-examined if the Covid-19 situation improves,” he said.
Muhyiddin also hopes that state religious authorities will issue its own respective guidelines to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 to Muslims who frequent places of worship, following a list of precautions of Friday prayers released by the minister in charge of religious affairs Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad yesterday.
The government has also taken extra precautionary steps by cancelling school assemblies to prevent the spread of Covid-19, said Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin said he is also briefed daily on the Covid-19 outbreak by a Health Ministry-led task force and has been assured that the nation has enough basic necessities.
As of today, Malaysia has 197 cases of Covid-19, with 39 new cases recorded today, according to the Health Ministry.
In his address, Muyddin explained the spike in new cases refer to the second wave of the outbreak with more locally transmitted cases.
While the government continues its efforts to screen foreign visitors entering through International gateways, they will also work to increase more health facilities to handle Covid-19 cases, said Muhyiddin.
“The government will also increase the number of hospitals that can treat Covid-19 cases. To date, 26 government hospitals and one university hospital, the University of Malaya Medical Centre, have the capacity to handle Covid-19 cases.
“In addition, collaborations with private hospitals, hospitals under the ministry of defence and university hospitals have been initiated in preparation for increased cases of Covid-19 patients.
“In addition, there are 57 government hospitals and 170 health clinics nationwide that are ready to perform health screenings on those who show symptoms of Covid-19,’’ he added.
