People wearing face masks walk on a street in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 22, 2021. Malaysia announced further tightening restrictions on Saturday under its nationwide movement control order (MCO) as the country's accumulative COVID-19 cases topped 500,000. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A delivery man wearing face mask rides on a motorbike in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 22, 2021. Malaysia announced further tightening restrictions on Saturday under its nationwide movement control order (MCO) as the country's accumulative COVID-19 cases topped 500,000.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

People wearing face masks walk across a street in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 22, 2021. Malaysia announced further tightening restrictions on Saturday under its nationwide movement control order (MCO) as the country's accumulative COVID-19 cases topped 500,000.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Malaysia announced further tightening restrictions on Saturday under its nationwide movement control order (MCO) as the country's accumulative COVID-19 cases topped 500,000.

Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who coordinates the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions in the country, said in a press conference that 80 percent of public servants and 40 percent of private sectors' employees will be required to work from home from May 25.

Other measures including shortening the operating hours of commercial premises, curbing public transport capacity and frequency. The authorities will also strengthen enforcement on those flouting the restrictions, including erecting more roadblocks.

Malaysia recorded another 6,320 new COVID-19 infections Saturday, bringing the national total to 505,115, according to the Health Ministry. Another 50 more deaths have been reported, bringing the death toll to 2,199.

Some 4,694 patients have been released after recovery, bringing the total number of cured and discharged to 449,234 or 88.9 percent of all cases.

Of the remaining 53,682 active cases, 652 are being held in intensive care and 370 of those are in need of assisted breathing.