Malaysia has extended the Movement Control Ordinance (MCO) to March 4th for states with a high number of Covid-19 cases, namely Selangor, Johor and Penang, as well as for the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.

This is the third expansion of the MCO, which should end on February 19th.

The continued ban on travel between districts and states will put more hotels at risk of closings

The nationwide travel limit of 10 km will be lifted from February 19th. However, inter-district and interstate travel is still prohibited – a move that “will affect the tourism industry’s chances of survival,” said Yap Lip, CEO of the Malaysian Association of Hotels Seng.

“The government must take immediate action to address the problem and listen to local stakeholders who have suffered for almost a year with no end in sight,” he added.

“After tourism and the hotel industry have lost all international business while the borders are still closed, they are solely dependent on domestic tourism. As long as interstate travel is not permitted, she has no chance of survival.

“The industry will be forced to cut more jobs and even consider closings. The government must take immediate action specifically for the tourism and hotel industries. “

Yap Sook Ling, executive director of Asian Overland Tours & Travel, urged the government to provide targeted support to the industry, including an increase in wage subsidies to RM 1,200 (US $ 297) per employee making less than RM 4,000 a month and one Extension beyond March.

Malaysia reported 2,720 new Covid-19 cases and eight deaths on Tuesday, for a total of 269,165 infections and 983 deaths.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR