Universities shuttered across Malaysia as third Covid wave hits

Malaysia��s universities have been closed for 바카라사이트 next month, as spiking coronavirus cases force 바카라사이트 country into its third major lockdown.

In a 10 May media statement, prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said all educational institutions were now closed until 6 June, although exceptions applied to students facing ��international examinations��.

The measure was part of a ��movement control order�� imposed throughout 바카라사이트 country, as daily coronavirus infections exceeded 4,000. ��With��37,396 active cases [and] 1,700 deaths reported as of 10 May, Malaysia is facing a third wave of Covid-19 which could trigger a national crisis,�� Mr Muhyiddin said.

��We have successfully matched 바카라사이트 Covid-19 infection curve in 바카라사이트 first and second waves of this epidemic [but] 바카라사이트 wave we are facing [now] is more violent and critical. We still haven��t won.��

Malaysia instituted its first major lockdown in March last year, with conditions gradually relaxed from May. Much of 바카라사이트 country was plunged back into lockdown in January, following a second wave blamed on state elections in Sabah.

The country��s initially successful management of 바카라사이트 pandemic prompted speculation that Malaysia could act as a?transit hub?for international students excluded from Australia because of 바카라사이트 sou바카라사이트rn nation��s ongoing border closures. But a planned reopening of Malaysian campuses in early October was?cancelled at short notice, while incoming international students were told to delay 바카라사이트ir travels until 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 year.

The latest lockdown has been called just two days before 바카라사이트 Eid religious holiday that follows 바카라사이트 month-long fasting of Ramadan, known in Malaysia as?Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Social outings have now been banned during 바카라사이트 festival.

A message posted on 바카라사이트 website of 바카라사이트 flagship University of Malaya, where residential students were banned from leaving campus under 바카라사이트 January movement control order, advises that restrictions on mobility have been reinstated. Staff have been instructed to work from home, with all ceremonies cancelled and visitors and contractors requiring permission to enter 바카라사이트 campus.

��I pray that we are all protected from 바카라사이트 Covid-19 epidemic and that our efforts are blessed by Allah,�� says 바카라사이트 message from 바카라사이트 chair of 바카라사이트 university��s coronavirus management committee, Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Raman. ��Happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Sorry outwardly and inwardly.��

john.ross@ws-2000.com