COVID-19 pandemic Archives

Geely sends medical equipment and supplies to Malaysia and other countries

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic situation in China has improved, the country is able to think of helping other countries even though it still has many cases to attend to domestically. Government and private organisations have been sending medical personnel and much-needed medical supplies to a number of countries and the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding), together with the Li Shufu Charity Foundation are among them.

Geely Holding, which Proton is a part of, has begun shipping medical supplies to areas in Southeast Asia and Europe that are experiencing coronavirus outbreaks. The first batch of donated medical supplies was sent to Sweden and Germany for local distribution to hospitals.

For Malaysia, the Group will donate testing kits and masks to hospitals and treatment facilities in need.

Earlier in January, Geely Holding and the Li Shufu Charity Foundation established a special fund totalling 200 million RMB (about RM124 million) to support the prevention and control of the coronavirus epidemic. The foundation established by Geely Holding’s founder, Li Shufu, will purchase and distribute urgently needed medical supplies including Personal Protective Equipment, test kits, masks, disinfectants, and ventilators according to the needs of the severely affected areas.

As the pandemic grows around the world, Geely Holding and its global family stands united and will make full use of the Group’s synergetic strength in the fight against the virus. Geely Holding and its subsidiaries around the world are strictly following national guidelines where they operate to protect employees and prevent the spread of the virus.

On top of assistance from Geely Holding and the Li Shufu Charity Foundation, Geely subsidiary companies around the world are providing their own assistance to local communities in distress. Volvo Cars in Sweden and Geely Sweden have donated over 12,000 medical masks to local hospitals. Benelli Motorbikes has begun shipping masks from China to affected areas in Italy. Geely Auto Technical (Deutschland) near Frankfurt, Germany has been working with local authorities to distribute medical masks and gloves. London Electric Vehicle Company has started an initiative providing drivers nationwide with a 3-month finance payment holiday.

“As the situation continues to normalize in China, Geely Holding has not forgotten the help it received from friends and family around the world. The fight against the coronavirus is not one that can be won alone. Together we are strong and together we will be victorious,” the company said in a statement.

Geely Auto develops cabin virus-filtering system within 20 days, to go into all its cars from next month

Tighter restrictions on Penang Bridge crossing, Jln Duta toll plaza also restricted

Five days have passed since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was introduced and the restrictions will continue to the last day of this month. The MCO aims to limit movements of the public, who are supposed to remain at home, in order to slow down if not stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the country.

While most people have been following the directive to stay home (but can go out to purchase essentials and for valid reasons), there are also many who ignore it. Fortunately, the police are tolerant and keep offering advice to persuade them to stay home rather than just arrest them since they are committing an offence.

It seems that there are many who still do not understand the seriousness of the situation and continue to travel for social reasons, so the police (now assisted by the army) are tightening things up. Besides more roadblocks, travel from Penang island to the mainland is not permitted unless there are valid reasons (buying vegetables is not accepted).

Jalan Duta Toll Plaza — *File picture of the Jalan Duta toll plaza.*

It has also been learnt that the toll plazas at Jalan Duta and Damansara on the edge of Kuala Lumpur are closed to traffic going towards the North-South Expressway. Only those who have valid reasons and permits will be allowed to pass through; all others will be told to turn around and go home. The restriction is likely to be until March 31, 2020, the last day of the MCO.

Incidentally, if you are planning to use an ATM, you can only do so between 7 am and 10 pm during the period of the MCO. Outside of those hours, the ATMs will be offline. While online banking services will be available as usual, operations at banks may be limited.

“You should expect some disruption or delays in normal branch operations in line with the need to ensure effective crowd containment. Some branches may be closed and branches that are open will have limited counter services or reduced operating hours,” Bank Negara explained in its latest FAQ.

Shops at many PLUS R&R/lay-bys to remain closed till March 31

Interstate travel is not permitted during the period of the Movement Control Order (MCO). However, if you are on PLUS highways – and you should have a valid reason for travelling – and want to stop by at a R&R to pick up food or drinks, you should be aware that the shops are closed from today until March 31, 2020 when the MCO ends.

According to notices which appeared today on the PLUS Facebook pag, the closure of shops are at the following R&R locations in Peninsular Malaysia:

Gelang Patah, Machap, Ayer Keroh, Mambau, Ulu Bernam, Sg. Buloh, USJ and Penanti.

*Operating hours at some R&Rs have been shortened to 6 am to 7 pm until March 31, 2020 (picture of R&R at Sg. Perak taken earlier in the year).*

Additionally, at the other R&Rs, operating hours of the shops will be from 6 am to 7 pm. They are at:

Pagoh, Seremban, Dengkil, Tg. Malim, Tapah, Sg. Perak, G. Semanggol, Gurun and Rawang.

All stalls and shops at the lay-bys will also be closed from March 21 – 31, 2020.

However, the toilets, parking spaces and petrol stations will still be operational as normal. All suraus at PLUS R&Rs and the LPT2 are, however, closed during the MCO period.

PLUS has also closed all its reload facilities at the Toll Plaza Customer Service Centres and Reload lanes at both its Open and Close Toll highways.

The highway concessionaire explained that these actions of closure are social distancing efforts to reduce the risk of infection and therefore limit virus transmission.

Petrol station — *Reloading of TnG tollcards can be done at petrol station convenience stores such as BHPetrol’s Petromarts.*

As such, PLUS advises motorists to plan their journey ahead by reloading their Touch‘nGo card at reload centres nationwide. The reload facilities include Self-Service Kiosks at 67 locations along selected rest and service areas, as well at ATMs of banks. Petrol stations and convenience stores can also provide reload services.

Access roads to Kuala Terengganu closed

Access roads to Kuala Terengganu closed

Officially, under the Movement Control Order (MCO), unauthorised travel outside of homes is not permitted. However, it is still permissible to travel to get food and other supplies or medicines, but the journey must only be from home to the shop and back. No wandering around and if possible, only one person should go from each household.

Interstate travel is also forbidden unless a permit is given by the police (except for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur). Individuals can be fined RM1,000 or sentenced for up to 6 months in jail for not following the MCO, under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

However, in some areas, the police seem to have decided to tighten enforcement in a stronger effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. In the case of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysiakini reports that all main roads into the town centre have been closed off. Free flow of traffic during the MCO period until March 31 will not be permitted except for those on duty and have legitimate reasons to enter.

In Bentong, Temerloh, Kuantan, Pekan and Jerantut, petrol stations and convenience stores have been ordered to remain closed from 7 pm to 7 am although the MCO has mentioned that such places could remain open.

Movement Control Order restricts movement but there is some flexibility

Will the 2020 Formula 1 championship ever get to start?

It’s beginning to look like the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship might never run. Following the sudden cancellation of the Australian GP, the opening round, the rounds in Bahrain and Vietnam were postponed. The fourth round in China had already been cancelled earlier as the COVID-19 worsened.

The FIA, which governs motorsport, had discussions with event organisers and the Formula 1 organisation as well as Liberty Media (which holds commercial rights) and decided that the championship would start in May with the European rounds. For the postponed events, there were proposals to run then sometime in the third quarter of the year.

Now, however, with the continued global spread of COVID-19 and many countries imposing strict regulations on movements as well as entry, it would be very difficult to run races. Any event which will have large crowds would not be permitted as that would enable the virus to spread.

The FIA has therefore announced that the Dutch GP, Spanish GP and Monaco GP will be postponed. The three rounds were scheduled to be run in May.

“The FIA and Formula 1 continue to work closely with affected promoters and local authorities to monitor the situation and take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for each Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve. The 2020 Championship season will begin as soon as it is safe to do so after May,” a statement from the AFIA said.

Bahrain F1 Grand Prix to be ‘closed-door event’ – no spectators!

Australian F1 Grand Prix cancelled!

COVID-19 pandemic disrupts motorsports around the world

This week, the FIA has also announced that implementation of the Technical Regulations due to take effect from the 2021 season will be postponed until 2022. Due to the currently volatile financial situation this has created for the teams, it has been agreed that they will use their 2020 chassis for 2021, with the potential freezing of further components to be discussed in due course.

“The introduction and implementation of the Financial Regulations will go ahead as planned in 2021, and discussions remain ongoing between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams regarding further ways to make significant cost savings,” the FIA said.

JPJ stops all operations due to large crowds, PUSPAKOM also announces closure

Although the Movement Control Order (MCO) has provisions to allow the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to continue operating, the department has today announced that it will not be open for operations from March 20. The closure covers all JPJ offices nationwide and the date when operations will resume has not been announced at this time. The MCO, which came into effect yesterday, will last until March 31, 2020.

It is understood that the decision to close was prompted by the large number of people being at the JPJ counters to obtain the various services available. The gathering of people, especially large numbers, is what the MCO aims to prevent as a measure to slow down or stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Close proximity among people can lead to transmission of the disease, it has been found, apart from picking up the virus from surfaces such as tabletops, door handles, etc.

PUSPAKOM, the vehicle inspection company, which is also allowed to operate during the period of the MCO, has also announced today that it will close all its branches and offices nationwide. Mobile services will also be suspended until further notice.

PUSPAKOM says that vehicle owners who have made appointments for inspections will receive refunds. For information or assistance, call 1-800-88-6927 or visit www.puspakom.com.my. Announcements will also be made on their pages at Facebook and Instagram.

Service centres closed but assistance still available from some car companies

Movement Control Order restricts movement but there is some flexibility

The Movement Control Order (MCO) has come into effect today, a strong nationwide action that is necessary to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus which has become a pandemic situation. Understandably, there has been some confusion and uncertainty about certain aspects of the MCO since this is the first time ever such an Order has been used.

We are fortunate that it is not as restrictive as Lockdown orders which have been used in China, Italy, France and some other countries which are facing rapid increase in COVID-19 infections. A Lockdown totally restricts movement and special permission is needed to even go to the supermarket to buy supplies.

As we’re a motoring website, we’ll cover what is relevant to motorists and the main thing is that you are not supposed to be travelling ‘socially’. This means that you should remain home unless you need to go out for a reason like buying supplies or medicines, or to pick up someone from the airport. There is no curfew (and hopefully won’t be) so movement on public roads is not forbidden.

No crossing state lines, except Selangor and KL
With most offices and shopping centres closed, there is much less traffic on the roads but unfortunately, this is not the time you can enjoy it. Furthermore, the police have clarified that interstate travel is forbidden, with the exception of the Klang Valley which has Selangor and WP Kuala Lumpur.

There was confusion yesterday after the IGP said that applications must be made at police stations for a permit to travel to another state. Long queues quickly started at police stations (so much for trying to achieve social distancing) until the police withdrew the requirement just hours before the midnight deadline when the MCO would come into effect.

Borders — Travelling between states is not permitted unless there is an exemption given by the police. Furthermore, the MCO also stops Malaysians from leaving the country, leading to an unusual scene at the Causeway to Singapore where there are no jams at all (right).

Following a meeting, another announcement came out about half an hour after midnight which again stated that there is a ban on interstate travel during the two weeks of the MCO (March 18 – 31, 2020). This time, the IGP said that permits would not be issued freely upon application; only in special cases will an exemption be given. The accepted reasons are:

To visit a close relative who is critically ill
Death of a close family member
Medical purposes/treatment

The police would also consider other reasons on a case-to-case basis but the IGP made it clear that invalid reasons would not get the permission to travel to another state.

New regulations gazetted to strengthen powers of MCO
To strengthen the legal position of the MCO, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has gazetted the regulations and actions which the MCO covers. The gazetted regulations which are new are known as the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the infected local areas) Regulations 2020. The gazette also identifies all states and federal territories in Malaysia as ‘infected areas’ and travel between infected areas is not allowed except with permission. Committing offences will result in jail terms or fines.

This sounds like a lockdown since whatever state you live in, you are in an infected area. Therefore, as per the MCO, Malaysians are not to move about. However, there is still some flexibility – hopefully not abused – where travel is permitted for official duties, special purposes and essential activities such as buying food or seeking healthcare. It is also permissible to make a journey to and from certain places where food is available for take-away or drive-through outlets.

Street — The MCO is meant to restrict movement to stop or slow down the spread of the disease. However, there is some flexibility provided for travel to buy food or essential items but you should not just drive around for no reason.

Aiming to slow down spread of virus
Once you have completed your ‘mission, you should return home immediately. Other than that, you have to remain in your house and not go out to ‘makan angin’. The aim of the MCO is to prevent the further spread of the disease through human-to-human contact. Social distancing is therefore being strongly promoted, meaning that you should stand at least one metre away from another person.

Workshop — The latest statement from the National Security Council issued this afternoon allows workshops to carry out vehicle repairs. According to the NSC’s statement, mechanics can also continue to operate at a minimal level, along with towing services.

We appeal to you to adhere to the MCO conditions so that the situation can, hopefully, not worsen. If after two weeks, the MCO does not seem to have done much to slow down the number of infected persons, then the government may be forced to introduce stricter measures which will be more unpleasant for all of us. Let’s do our best not to reach that stage.

How motorists can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19

All Honda Malaysia operations, including dealerships, to remain closed from March 18 – 31, 2020

In accordance with the Movement Control Order by the government which will take effect from Wednesday March 18 and continue till March 31, 2020, Honda Malaysia will suspend its business operations during the period.

The business operations involved cover Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh (Melaka), its sales office and also dealerships nationwide. This would mean that all authorised service centres would also remain closed during the period.

Honda service centre — *All Honda dealerships, including the service centres, will be closed from March 18 – 31, 2020.*

The company says that it will resume business operations, tentatively, on April 1, 2020. “Honda Malaysia will continue to monitor the situation closely and update accordingly. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time,” a statement issued this afternoon said.

Meanwhile, it should be noted by motorists who travel on public roads that petrol stations are permitted to remain open so you can still purchase fuel if needed. However, as urged by health authorities, you should practice social distancing when you are at a petrol station. This means being at least one metre apart from another person, especially if you have to go into the convenience store.

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