18 MARCH 2020 : MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (COVID-19)

On March 18, 2020, Malaysia entered its first phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO), a nationwide "partial lockdown" aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin just two days prior, it marked a historic turning point in the country's fight against the pandemic.

Below is a breakdown of what happened and the restrictions that came into effect on that day.

The Core Restrictions

The MCO was enforced under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and the Police Act 1967. Key rules included:

• Mass Gatherings: All religious, sports, social, and cultural activities were strictly prohibited.
• Travel Ban: Malaysians were barred from traveling abroad. Those returning from overseas had to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.
• Foreign Entry: Tourists and all foreign visitors were prohibited from entering the country.
• Education: All kindergartens, primary, secondary, and pre-university institutions (both government and private) were closed.
• Higher Learning: Public and private universities, as well as vocational training centers, were shut down.

Business & Services

Only essential services were allowed to operate. These included:

• Water, electricity, energy, and telecommunications.
• Healthcare and pharmacies.
• Banking and finance.
• Food supply (supermarkets, public markets, and grocery stores).
• Transportation, ports, and airports.
• Security, defense, and cleaning services.

Note: Initially, eateries were only allowed to operate for takeaway and delivery; dining in was strictly prohibited.

The Situation on March 18, 2020

• Cases: On the first day of the MCO, Malaysia reported 117 new cases, bringing the cumulative total to 790.
• The "Tabligh" Cluster: Approximately 80 of those new cases were linked to the mass gathering at the Seri Petaling mosque, which was the primary driver for the second wave of infections.
• Atmosphere: The day was marked by the viral hashtag #StayHome (#DudukRumah) as the government and influencers urged the public to comply with the order.

---

MCO Phases (2020 Timeline)

Phase	Dates	Type
Phase 1	March 18 – March 31	Strict MCO
Phase 2	April 1 – April 14	MCO (Enhanced)
Phase 3	April 15 – April 28	MCO (Extended)
Phase 4	April 29 – May 12	Transition to CMCO

The MCO was later followed by various stages, including the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL
4/1/2026: 6.59 p.m