Malaysia will impose another Movement Control Order (MCO) if the number of new daily cases reaches three digits, the country's Senior Minister (Security Cluster) and Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob stated on July 26, according to The Star.

He added that complacency had been one of the main factors for Malaysia experiencing a double-digit increase in new Covid-19 cases, The Edge Markets further reported.

"The public has forgotten what needs to be done...we eased the standard operating procedure (SOP) and the number of cases begin to rise again."

Reimposing lockdown will make things difficult for everyone

Ismail Sabri further acknowledged that should the lockdown be reimposed, it "(makes) things difficult for all parties", including people who wanted to work, but stressed that such a move was necessary.

Reiterating the need for the public to be mindful, he stated that everyone was a "frontliner" and should remind their families to adhere to the country's SOPs for dealing with Covid-19.

The New Straits Times further reported that Ismail Sabri also voiced his concern about social gatherings for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha (Hari Raya Haji).

He added,"What concerns us now is that there might not be social (distancing) during the slaughtering procedure and the gathering ceremony afterwards during the coming Aidiladha."

A set of SOPs are expected to be announced on July 27 for Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Malaysia has been tightening some of its Covid-19 measures

Malaysia has recently tightened some of its Covid-19 measures.

On July 21, Ismail Sabri announced that all returning Malaysians and visitors must be isolated at hotels and quarantine centres from July 24.

They must bear the full costs of this compulsory quarantine as well. Prior to this, returning Malaysians are allowed to isolate themselves at home.

The change in quarantine rule comes after several cases where Malaysians were found not keeping to the compulsory quarantine at home.

The increase in global cases has also contributed the cases in Malaysia, as Malaysians return from overseas.

Currently, Malaysia has reported 8,897 cases of Covid-19 and 194 deaths as of July 26, according to The Malay Mail.

Photo from Wei Ern via Malaysia-Singapore Border Checkpoints