Malaysia relaxes lockdown restrictions for lovebirds in long distance marriages

Pink doves edited on a photo of Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Photo: Coconuts
Pink doves edited on a photo of Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Photo: Coconuts

Hey lovebirds, here’s some early Valentine’s Day news. 

Married couples living across different Malaysian states will be allowed to travel to see each other starting tomorrow. 

The decision was made after many married couples wrote in to the government about not being able to see their loved ones during the lockdown, and upon approval by the National Security Council, or MKN, according to Defense Minister Ismail Sabri, 61, in today’s COVID-19 address. 

Couples will be required to apply for a police permit before their inter-state travels, and urged to go for COVID-19 swab tests. 

“Many long-distance couples have appealed to see each other and their families,” Ismail said. “Married couples travel to be with their spouse and family with police permission starting tomorrow.”

Just two weeks ago, Ismail had said that married couples were not exempt from the interstate travel ban under the latest lockdown restrictions, advising couples to “be patient.”

All but Sarawak have been placed under the Movement Control Order, which is scheduled to expire on Feb. 4.

Malaysia has reported 190,434 cases and 700 deaths since the COVID-19 outbreak began. 

Other stories to check out:

A year after COVID-19 pandemic, the end is ‘nowhere near’ for Malaysians, health chief says



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