IRB: Deadline to submit 2019 tax returns extended by two months
The last day to file the various income tax return forms has been extended by two months from the original deadline. The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) announced that the move was to facilitate the submission of tax returns affected by the movement control order starting Wednesday (March 18) until March 31. Tax payers are also urged to submit their BNCP forms and tax payments via IRB’s online platform, ezHASIL. IRB said all its premises in the country would be closed during the movement control order period. (The Star Online)
Malaysia records first two Covid-19 deaths; cases soar to 673
Malaysia recorded its first two fatalities in the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic today; while new cases rose by 120, raising the tally of infections in the country to 673. The first fatality was a 34-year-old man from Johor who attended the tabligh event at the Sri Petaling Mosque. The second deceased was a 60-year-old pastor at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kuching, Sarawak. Meanwhile, of the 120 new positive Covid-19 cases detected today, 95 are linked to the Sri Petaling mosque tabligh cluster. Malaysia has, by far, the highest number of Covid-19 cases in all of Southeast Asia. (NST Online)
Interstate travel now requires police permission
Malaysians should not move about within their vicinity except for special purposes or essential activities such as buying food or seeking healthcare, and will need police permission when they travel from one state to another during these two weeks, the government said in a set of new regulations gazetted today. These new regulations, known as the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, are applicable from March 18 (today) until March 31. The new regulations also said no one is allowed to gather or be involved in any gathering, regardless of whether it is for religious, sports, recreational, social or cultural purposes. But the regulations also said funeral ceremonies can be held if the number of those attending is kept to a minimum. (Malay Mail)
Sabah govt imposes immigration restriction order
Sabah government has imposed immigration restriction order to non-Sabahan residents and tourists, effective today. In a statement issued by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Malaysians who are not from Sabah are not allowed entry via air, sea, or land unless with special approval from the state government. Visitors from Sarawak and the Peninsula wishing to enter Sabah are also required to provide medical certificates from hospitals to prove that they are not infected with Covid-19. Sabahans are also banned from travelling abroad, while all foreign tourists and visitors are banned from entering the state. Shafie also said the state government was complying with the restricted movement control order announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and is enforcing ban on mass gatherings as well as movements throughout Sabah. (NST Online)
New coronavirus can persist in air for hours and on surfaces for days – study
The highly contagious novel coronavirus that has exploded into a global pandemic can remain viable and infectious in droplets in the air for hours and on surfaces up to days, according to a new study that should offer guidance to help people avoid contracting COVID-19. Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) attempted to mimic the virus deposited from an infected person onto everyday surfaces in a household or hospital setting, such as through coughing or touching objects. The tests show that when the virus is carried by the droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes, it remains viable, or able to still infect people, in aerosols for at least three hours. On plastic and stainless steel, viable virus could be detected after three days. On cardboard, the virus was not viable after 24 hours. On copper, it took 4 hours for the virus to become inactivated. (Reuters)
