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Malaysia's COVID-19 daily tally returns to double digits

Jul 17, 2020

The number of new cases in Malaysia reached double digits today.

The Health Ministry says there were 18 new cases - ten imported cases and eight local transmissions.

This means the number of active now stands at 92, while the death toll is unchanged at 122.

Face masks not compulsory in schools

It’s not compulsory for everyone to wear face masks in schools.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says instead, students, teachers and staff are only required to wear them if they show any symptoms of infection.

He adds that schools are only required to provide soap and hand sanitizers, and conduct temperature checks.

Economists in support of calls to extend bank loan moratorium period

Economists have backed a call to extend the current six-month moratorium on bankloans.

However, a senior fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs says it shouldn’t be a blanket extension.

He told FMT that instead, it should only apply to workers in the B40 and M40 groups, as they are the ones who were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent MCO.

But even then, the extensions should be done on a case-to-case basis, with banks making the final decision.

Recently, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress said the moratorium should be extended, as the economy will need at least another six months to recover