Updated 2021 SOPs for MCO in Sabah, new CMCO in Sarawak

Sarawak will undergo a round of CMCO starting today (18 January), up till 31 January 2021 following an increase in COVID-19 cases. This will apply to all districts except the Sibu division.

Malaysia's National Security Council has released a set of SOPs for the Movement Control Order (MCO, or PKP) in Sabah, as well as SOPs for the Conditional MCO (CMCO, or PKPB), dated 17 January 2021. These include details on essential services, instructions on meetings and MICE-related activities, and more, shared below.

Extract 1: SOPs on the MCO in Sabah

Applicable to: The entire State of Sabah, except in localities where the Enhanced MCO (EMCO, or PKPD) is still enforced. Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan districts are categorised as one district.

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is responsible for exercising control over local areas of infection with the help of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Civil Defence Force (APM) and the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA).

Admission of individuals to the state of Sabah is not allowed except for:

• Citizens of Sabah;
• Spouses and dependents of Sabah citizens; and
• Holders of valid Malaysian Immigration Long Term Passes (State of Sabah) for non-Sabah nationals and non-citizens performing essential services.

In addition to this, they must refer to the entry guide for Sabah and obtain special permission from the Sabah State Government.

All individuals entering Sabah through air, sea and land entrances must undergo RT-PCR or RTK-Ag COVID-19 tests within one to three days prior to travel. Only individuals who do not have symptoms, with negative test results, will be allowed to enter Sabah.

Movement of individuals out of Sabah

Only individuals performing essential services, emergency and medical cases are allowed to leave Sabah with the permission of the PDRM, subject to the following conditions:

• Individuals from Sabah to the Peninsula must undergo a RT-PCR or RTK-Ag COVID-19 test within three days before departure from Sabah (based on a decision by the MOH).
• Individuals from Sabah to Sarawak must undergo a RT-PCR COVID-19 test within three days before departure from Sabah (based on a ruling by the Sarawak State Government).
• Individuals from Sabah to Labuan must undergo a RT-PCR or RTK-Ag COVID-19 test within three days before entering Labuan (based on a resolution by the Disaster Management Committee of W.P. Labuan).
• Only individuals who do not have symptoms, with negative test results, will be allowed to continue their journey.

Movement outside of homes in the MCO/PKP area

All residents in the MCO/PKP area are not allowed to leave their homes/residences, except:

• Only two household representatives are allowed to go out only to obtain food supplies, medicine, dietary supplements and basic necessities within a radius not exceeding 10 kilometers from his residence, or to the place closest to his residence if the supply of such necessities is not within a radius of 10 kilometers from his residence.
• A maximum of three persons including patients are allowed to go out to seek health or medical care services within a radius not exceeding 10 kilometers from their residence, or to the place closest to their residence if the health or medical services are not within a radius of 10 kilometers from their residence.
• Students and candidates who sit for the SPM, STPM, STAM, SPVM, SKM, IPTA examinations, international examinations and the equivalent, are allowed to attend schools/institutions and allowed to cross districts according to the school/institution calendar set by Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE)/Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).
  • This will be according to the school calendar set by the MOE and MOHE, with confirmation documents from the respective ministry. Students can be accompanied by a guardian while in commute.

Cross-district travel

Cross-district movement is not allowed, except for emergency cases such as death or natural disasters.

That said, movement for essential services and official business is allowed, provided the worker presents a valid work pass or letter of permission from the employer.

Commercial vehicles carrying essential services are allowed to move across the district, and drivers and passengers are required to wear face masks. The number of people allowed in this vehicle depends on the registration license of the commercial vehicle.

Cross-district public transport services such as express bus services are not allowed to operate during the MCO. Meanwhile, public transport services within the same district are allowed from 5am to 9pm daily, with compliance with physical distancing in the vehicle as well as the use of face masks as follows:

• Bus services and school buses in the district with a capacity of 50% passengers
• Taxi/e-hailing service in the district (maximum of two passengers).

Meetings and MICE-related activities

All seminars, workshops, courses, trainings, conferences, talks and activities related to the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry are not allowed.

At the same time, face-to-face meetings are prohibited, and must be done via video conferencing.

Overall, any activity that requires large attendance and makes it difficult to implement safe physical distancing in compliance with the instructions of the Director General of Health, will not be allowed. Other matters will be decided by the Government from time to time.

Full SOPs, including a list of essential services and non-essential services, can be found here. 

Religious activities

All religious activities are not allowed, except:

• Mosques and Suraus are only allowed to sound the prayer call. Permission for prayers and the number of pilgrims is determined by the Sabah State Mufti's Office from time to time.
• Only 5 people are allowed for religious activities in non-Muslim houses of worship.
• Online religious activities are encouraged.

Full SOPs for Sabah, including a list of essential services and non-essential services, can be found here. 

Extract 2: SOPs for CMCO/PKPB in Sarawak

Applicable to: The state of Sarawak as follows (except the Sibu Division):

• Kuching Zone (Kuching Division, Samarahan Division and Serian Division)
• Sri Aman Zone (Sri Aman Division)
• Sarikei Zone (Sarikei Division and Betong Division)
• Mukah Zone (Mukah Division)
• Kapit Zone (Kapit Division)
• Bintulu Zone (Division Bintulu)
• Miri Zone (Miri Division)

Sarawak's Disaster Management Committee announced on Sunday (17 January 2021) that the state will undergo the CMCO from today (18 January) up till 31 January 2021, following an increase in COVID-19 cases there. This will apply in all districts except the Sibu division.

In light of this, excerpts of the new set of SOPs that will be applicable (as stated above) can be found below.

Cross-zone movement and transport services allowed to operate

Movement between Zones is not allowed except for essential services and those with the PDRM's approval (Police permit required).

The number of passengers allowed in a private vehicle is according to the capacity of the vehicle. However, individuals at high risk and children are not encouraged to go out into public, open and crowded areas.

The number of people allowed in vehicles carrying essential goods and services as well as the chain of economy /industrial activities depends on the commercial vehicle registration license.

Similarly, the movement of private vehicles, Government departments or private companies for the purpose of commuting to and from work or carrying out official government business depends on the capacity of the vehicle seating.

Activities and services at all airports and ports are allowed to operate. Public transport services such as bus stops, express buses, LRT/MRT/ERL/monorail, ferries, airplanes, taxi/e-hailing and other public transport services are allowed to operate (operating hours according to license conditions) based on vehicle capacity.

Food delivery services are also allowed from 6am to 10pm during the CMCO.

Employee-related activities, and economic and industrial activities

Movement to and from the CMCO/PKPB Zones are prohibited, except for essential services and those with the PDRM's approval (Police permit required). This also applies to movement to MCO/PKP and EMCO/PKPD areas.

Employment activities can be carried out based on the Public Service Department's Circular/instructions for civil servants and employers for private sector employees. Vehicles carrying employees, including private vehicles, are allowed, in compliance with the SOPs.

Apart from the above, activities in the economic and industrial sectors in the CMCO/PKPB areas are to be carried out as prescribed by the Government, in compliance with the relevant SOPs. All industrial, business and manufacturing related vehicles are allowed to operate including across districts and states.

Meetings and MICE-related activities

Business events related to the MICE industry are allowed to operate at no more than 50% of the capacity of the premises, or a maximum of 200 people, only in compliance with physical distancing, mandatory use of face masks and based on the relevant SOPs.

Face-to-face meetings for official business/work held at offices, hotels and other institutions are allowed by complying with physical distancing measures, mandatory wearing of face masks, and not exceeding 50% capacity of the premises or a maximum of 200 people.

As for seminars, workshops, courses, trainings, conferences and talks - these are all allowed to operate at no more than 50% of the capacity of the premises, or a maximum of 200 people by complying with physical distancing measures,, mandatory wearing of face masks and based on official SOPs.

Ongoing in-service training can be implemented only in the area of ​​the training institution.

Official and informal ceremonies

Official and informal ceremonies, Government-related and private, social councils such as weddings and engagements, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, prayers, tahlil, birthday celebrations, unions, retreats and other social events are allowed to operate at no more 50% capacity of the premises or a maximum of 200 people, in compliance with safe distancing measures, mandatory wearing of face masks and based on the relevant SOPs.

Medical and health services

Government and private clinics and hospitals are allowed to operate 24 hours or according to the time set by the Government. At the same time, pharmacies and drug stores can operate from 6am to 10pm.

Other SOPs released on 17 January 2021:

• SOPs for sports and recreation sector
• SOPs for agricultural sector

[ALSO READ: Latest 2021 SOPs on Malaysia's MCO, CMCO and RMCO in designated states]