The Malaysia government has re-introduced the CMCO-Conditional Movement Control Order for Selangor, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah in response to the rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic. The CMCO will be in place from 14 to 27 October 2020. 

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri announced that the decision was taken after consulting with Ministry of Health following the rapid increase in positive cases. The CMCO directives from the government include the following for impacted locations:

- essential services will remain open

- economic activities will be allowed under strict measures and operating procedures

- schools, universities and all education/training institutions will be closed

- sports, recreational, social, cultural activities will not be allowed

- inter-district travel is not allowed without due approvals from relevant authorities

Source:

CMCO in Selangor, KL, Putrajaya, Sabah

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Commentary by Saman Imtiaz:

Malaysia had till recently been one of the countries that had contained the pandemic situation effectively.

However, with the recent increase in cases, the Ministry of Higher Education had issued an advisory on 3 October for all public and private universities to shift to online registrations and classes. On 4 October, the Immigration Department announced that entry of foreign students enrolled at Malaysian institutions will be banned till 31 December.

With the announcement of the re-introduction of the CMCO for the next two weeks commencing from 14 October 2020, educational institutions are now closed in announced locations. The recommended standard operating procedures state that while education institutions will be closed, students registered with foreign institutions will be allowed to take their exams. Details and further announcements are expected for how education institutions will operate. The situation will be reviewed, and updates announced for the possible relaxation and resumption of teaching and learning at campuses closer to 27 October. There have been no announcements on whether educational institutions will resume on a face-to-face basis or if all teaching and learning will remain online. The decisions will depend on how the Covid-19 situation evolves.

We will continue to share updates as soon as announced.