Malaysia declares "total lockdown" for two weeks after Covid-19 cases increase
From CNN's Elaine Ly and Jaide Garcia
Malaysia will implement a two-week "total lockdown" on social and economic sectors, according to a statement from the prime minister's office and reported by state media Bernama News Agency on Friday.
The Malaysian National Security Council will oversee the lockdown, according to the statement. Beginning June 1, "all sectors will not be allowed to operate, except for essential economic and service sectors to be listed by MKN."
The statement attributes the decision to the latest rise in Covid-19 cases, saying the country is seeing "daily cases exceeding 8,000 and over 70,000 active cases," as well as the presence of a new variant with a high and rapid infection rate.