While Malaysia has decided to extend a partial lockdown in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Myanmar removed certain restrictions to prepare for the upcoming general elections.

Malaysian Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob told a press conference on 26 October that the two-week partial lockdown on Kuala Lumpur capital and the neighbouring state of Selangor, announced earlier this month, would be extended until 9 November.

Malaysia made the move after the Health Ministry had reported 1,240 new coronavirus cases on 26 September, the highest daily rise on record.

As of the day, this country had recorded a total of 27,805 infections, including 236 deaths.

Its government has imposed movement restrictions, including the closure of schools and places of worship, though all other economic activities are allowed to operate normally.

Meanwhile, Myanmar has lifted restrictions on mass gatherings and the stay-at-home order to prepare for the general elections slated for 8 November.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Sports announced on 25 October that gatherings of 30 people or more, which were banned from 12 August as a measure to help curb the spread of COVID-19, will be allowed at the polling stations on the election day.

The ministry also said citizens who are residing in the townships under the stay-at-home order will be allowed to go to the respective polling stations to cast votes on the election day.

So far, the stay-at-home order has been imposed in all townships in Rakhine state and Yangon region, excluding Cocokyun township, along with 13 townships in Mandalay, Bago, Ayeyarwaddy regions and Mon and Kachin states.

Myanmar had reported 44,774 COVID-19 confirmed cases with 1,095 deaths as of 25 October.

Source: VNA