Coronavirus: Malaysia expands lockdown to all but one state; Singapore ramps up vaccine plans

Every state in Malaysia except Sarawak will be placed under lockdown from Friday following an increase in cases

Meanwhile, Singapore wants to set up 36 vaccination centres that can cater to 2,000 people a day from next month

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A health worker collects a nasal swab at a temporary Covid-19 testing centre in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, on Tuesday. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 4:53pm, 19 Jan 2021Updated: 6:29pm, 19 Jan 2021

Every state in Malaysia except Sarawak is set to be placed under lockdown from Friday, a senior minister said on Tuesday according to reports.

The country’s so-called movement control order will be extended to cover the states of Kedah, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu and Perli, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was cited as saying by local media outlet Today Online.

The order, which will be in place until at least February 4, is being enforced following advice from the Health Ministry after an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in those states, Ismail Sabri said.

Malaysia’s Johor, Selangor, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan states were placed under lockdown last week after the nation’s monarch approved a state of national emergency to stem the spread of a third wave of coronavirus infections.

Singapore could deliver up to 70,000 vaccinations a day from next month, a government tender document has shown. Photo: Reuters

Singapore ramps up vaccine plans

Singapore, which is mulling additional measures to ensure its Covid-19 infection numbers remain under control, is preparing to ramp up its vaccination programme by appointing a vendor to set up 36 vaccination centres that can cater to at least 2,000 people a day.

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