Continued lockdown in Malaysia as restrictions expand

Malaysia imposed stricter movement curbs on dozens of localities in its richest state Selangor and the capital Kuala Lumpur for two weeks starting Saturday as COVID-19 infections continue to rise.

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision to place 34 sub-districts in Selangor and 14 localities in Kuapa Lumpur under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) was made after the areas reported virus cases exceeding 12.1 for every 100,000 residents.

Under the two-week order people are restricted to their homes, with only one person from each household allowed to go out to buy groceries within a 10-kilometer radius. The curfew starts at 8 p.m. (1200 GMT).

Only essential services and factories producing food, medicines and masks can operate.

Malaysia reported 6,988 new infections Thursday, with Selangor and Kuala Lumpur accounting for nearly 60%.