Confirmed cases: 5,424
Number of deaths: 89*
Patients recovered: 3,349**
Travel restrictions:
Malaysia is currently under a Movement Control Order (MCO), which restricts all foreign arrivals and places residents under various controls, designed to contain the spread of COVID-19. According to the regulations outlined in the MCO, everyone in Malaysia is required to stay at home unless buying medicine, shopping for groceries or engaging in essential services.
Religious services, sporting events, large social gatherings and festivals or cultural celebrations have been temporarily halted, though supermarkets, markets and convenience stores remain open. The MCO was recently extended to 28th April 2020.
Reasons for optimism:
Tourism Malaysia has laid out its recovery plan for the coronavirus. According to a recent statement, the country will kick-start its international promotion efforts from September this year. Recent studies have also raised some interesting insights that will help tour operators to prepare for the return of tourists.
AirAsia will lift their regional flight restrictions at the end of this month, pending approval from the authorities, in order to offer flights connecting Malaysia to its neighbours. The low-cost carrier will commence operations from 29th April onwards, with further flights scheduled for take-off in the first week of May.
Malaysia is making excellent progress with curbing the spread of COVID-19 and is already looking ahead to reopening several economic sectors in stages (to be announced soon).
Key quote:
“The fight is still on. We are doing well so far, so just uplift your spirit and continue to fight. If we persevere, Insya Allah (God Willing) we will win.” (Prime Minister Muhyiddin)
*(latest COVID-19 figures according to World Health Organization (WHO) Situation Report #92, dated 21st April 2020)
** (Malaysian Ministry of Health, 21st April 2020)
