A new standard operating procedure (SOP) will be introduced for the second phase of the MCO.
There were several exceptions in the first phase, he said.
“A new SOP will be introduced, with the rules tightened. There may be more restrictions on buying food, among others.
“I cannot announce it yet because the NSC will introduce sterner measures to stop the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference here, he said police had arrested 110 people yesterday for violating the MCO.
He said the government had been reminding the people to adhere to the order to help curb the spread of Covid-19, but that the police tactic might change “from advising to stern action”.
According to him, only 95% of Malaysians are obeying the MCO.
He said while some shops and convenience stores had enforced social distancing, “others are not following”.
“There are still cars on the roads, and roadblocks will continue as many are still not following the rules,” he said, adding that police would remain stationed at 23 roadblocks.
He also said the government would distribute free face masks in stages, which will benefit some 8.63 million households.
He said the health ministry would advise on who the recipients would be.
“We are waiting for the supplies to arrive,” he said, adding that the government had bought the masks.
“They were not given for free, as alleged by certain quarters.”
He also said that sanitation and disinfection exercises would be carried out by the fire department, local authorities, the army and volunteer corps to clean public areas such as markets, mosques and other places identified at so-called red zones.
Thermometers and face masks will also be distributed to the police, volunteer corps and army personnel.
Ismail said the government’s Covid-19 fund had collected RM8.12 million so far, which would be used to help those infected with the virus, especially from the lower-income group.
The money will also be used by the women and family ministry to buy food for the poor and those who meet the government’s conditions.
On Malaysians stranded overseas, he said immigration and the foreign ministry had been asked to come up with a SOP to bring them back, as most countries were banning the entry of foreign flights in light of Covid-19.
The issue of vehicles carrying raw food was also discussed, where Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador assured that access would be given for them to pass through roadblocks.
“So allegations of vegetables from Cameron Highlands not being able to pass through are not true,” he added.
As most states have their own SOP, he said, the government had agreed to appoint a minister to attend the state-level National Security Council (NSC).
State-level NCS meetings are chaired by the menteri besar or chief minister.
“There will have to be a member of the Cabinet at state-level NSC meetings to pass on decisions from the federal government so that streamlining is easier.”
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