Latest March 2021 SOPs for Malaysia's CMCO in KL, Selangor, Johor, and more

This story was updated on 17 March 2021, following extended CMCO in selected states, and then on 22 March with the latest set of SOPs dated 18 March.

Travel between Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is now allowed, but movement to other areas under the CMCO is still not permitted. More updates here.

Malaysia's National Security Council (MKN) has released a set of SOPs that will apply during the ongoing Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO, or PKPB), updated as on 15 March 2021 (Monday).

These SOPs include details on cross-state and cross-district travels, hours of operation for essential businesses, activities that are prohibited during the enforcement period, and more. Excerpts below.

SOPs to note during the CMCO 

Applicable to:

• Kedah (except Langkawi), Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor from 5-18 March 2021 
• Sarawak from 18-29 March 2021

Update following the CMCO extension on 16 March: These SOPs will apply till 31 March 2021; Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Perak are no longer under the CMCO.

Guidelines for employees, MICE-related activities, meetings and seminars

Employee movement: Movement out of/into PKPB/CMCO areas, MCO/PKP, Recovery MCO (RMCO/PKPP) areas is allowed for employment. The movement of employees is subject to the employer's confirmation letter/employee pass or operating approval letter/business licenCe from the local authority (for the self employed).

While this is so, movement to PKPD areas is not allowed.

The attendance capacity of employees in the public service is based on the Circular/Instruction of the Public Service Department (JPA); while for the private sector, it is based on 30% for the management and the number of operating/support employees set by the employer.

Vehicles carrying employees, including private vehicles, are allowed to operate in compliance with SOPs.

MICE-related activities: Business events related to meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions are allowed to operate at 50% of the capacity of the premises, by complying with physical distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, and based on the PKPB MICE SOP.

Meetings: Face-to-face meetings for official business/work held in offices, hotels and other institutions are permitted in compliance with physical distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks and only 50% of meeting room capacity.

Meetings are encouraged to be held via video conferencing.

Seminars: All seminars/conferences/workshops/courses/trainings/talks/exhibitions are allowed to operate at 50% of the capacity of the premises by complying with physical distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, and based on the General SOP of the Implementation of Official Government and Private Councils. 

Movement within/across districts and states

Movement within the PKPB/CMCO area is permitted. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are considered one zone, thus cross-movement is allowed. However, movement to other PKPB/CMCO areas, MCO/PKP, RMCO/PKPP and Enhanced MCO (EMCO/PKPD) areas is not permitted, except with PDRM's permission.

The number of passengers allowed in a private vehicle is according to the capacity of the vehicle, but high-risk individuals and children are discouraged from going out into public, open and crowded areas.

• The number of persons allowed in vehicles carrying necessary goods and services as well as the chain of economic/industrial activities depends on the commercial vehicle registration licence.
• The movement of private vehicles, Government departments or private companies for the purpose of going to and from work or carrying out official Government business depends on the seating capacity of the vehicle.

Activities and services at all airports and ports are allowed to operate. Public transport services such as stop buses, express buses, LRT/ MRT/ ERL/ Monorails, ferries, planes, taxis/e-hailing and other public transport services are allowed to operate (operating hours according to licence conditions), based on vehicle capacity.

Food delivery services are also allowed to operate, from 6am to midnight.

Lastly, cross-state permits are allowed for long distance married couples, after obtaining PDRM's permission. 

Activities allowed within the CMCO/PKPB area

Businesses, the economy and industry are allowed to operate as determined by the Government.

• Government-run and private clinics and hospitals can operate for 24 hours, or according to the time determined by the Government. Meanwhile, pharmacies and shops that dispense medication can operate from 8am to midnight.

• Supermarkets, shopping malls and retail stores are allowed to operate in accordance with the SOPs, between 6.00am to midnight.

• Restaurants, shops/food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, street hawkers, food courts/hawker centres, roadside food stalls/kiosks, grocery stores and convenience stores are also allowed to operate between 6.00 am to midnight, in compliance with the food sector's SOPs.

• Restaurants and eateries are allowed to operate on a dine-in basis (with one-metre distance between customers, according to table size), takeaway, delivery or drive-throughs in compliance with the food sector's SOPs. Hours of operation will be from 6.00am to midnight (subject to licence conditions). 

• The operation of daily markets, wholesale markets, farmers; markets, night markets, and late night bazaars (uptown, downtown and the likes) will be according to the start time of operation according to the licence/permit until midnight. This will have to be in compliance with SOPs, supervision of the authorities, and RELA/PBT members.

• The pumping operation hours at petrol stations will be between 6am and midnight (unless petrol stations on highways are allowed to operate 24 hours).

• Laundry operations are permitted from 6am to midnight.

• SPAs, reflexology, massage, and wellness activities including pedicure and manicure services are allowed, also from 6.00 am to midnight or according to the conditions of the local authority, whichever is earlier.

• Likewise, the operation of other businesses for permitted daily needs will be allowed from 6.00am to midnight (subject to license conditions).

Safe-distancing measures

Licensees and premise owners must ensure control of customers' entry and exit to the premises with a physical distance of one metre.

Hand sanitiser must beprovided at the entrance and used before entering.

Licensees and premise owners are required to provide the MySejahtera QR code facility and provide a customer attendance registration book. The use of the MySejahtera application is mandatory in areas with wide internet access. Exceptions are given for areas that do not have internet access, especially in rural and remote areas.

Licensees and premise owners must also ensure that customers check in using MySejahtera, or manually if is no internet coverage.

For shopping complexes/supermarkets/department stores, customers only need to perform a body temperature scan once at the entrance of the complex and not at every business premise under one complex. Customers with body temperatures above 37.5 degrees Celsius should not be allowed to enter the complex and premises.

Owners of complexes and premises outside the complex must ensure that only customers with the "Low Risk" status in MySejahtera, are allowed to enter their respective complexes/premises. 

Apart from the above, the SOPs also state the following:

• Licensees and premises owners should limit the number of customers on the premises with a physical distance of one metre at a time, and display the maximum number of customers who are on the premises.
• Employees, suppliers and customers are required to wear face masks properly in accordance with MOH recommendations while on the premises.
• Ensure good ventilation and ventilation systems in the premises.
• It is compulsory to wear a face mask especially when in crowded public places, except for the following activities and places:
  • One's own residence, alone and with household members;
  • Hotel rooms/paid accommodation, alone and involving members of the same household
  • Solitary work spaces;
  • Indoor and outdoor sports and recreational activities;
  • One's own vehicles, alone and with household members;
  • Indoor/outdoor public areas and places without other individuals; and
  • While eating and drinking in a public place without any other individuals.

Full SOPs can be found here.  

Photo / 123RF