This signals the end of outgoing Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir's tenure as menteri besar, which he has held for two years after Pakatan Harapan won Kedah in the 2018 national polls.

The report said the move is a special exemption as foreigners are barred from entering Malaysia since March 18 due to the movement control order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“The government must spell out exactly how frequently workers need be tested for Covid-19 in ensuring that only those free of the deadly virus are allowed to turn up for work.”

In the three-minute video, dental surgeon Pfundheller who calls himself an international traveller lauded the government’s quick action to curb the spread of the disease.

How are a couple of F&B operators adapting to stay afloat in these trying times? And, are they innovating to stay ahead of the game?

MoH’s director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah: We would like to advocate the public to have a homely closed-door Hari Raya. This is unprecedented but at least we can protect our families.

Inside Scoop ice-cream co-founder Edmund Tan: At this juncture, I find it hard to accept the risk of potential closure of the whole kitchen due to hygiene problems of other users.

Savills Malaysia associate director of retail services Murli Menon: Even now, with proper screening and physical barriers - such as individual cubicles or plastic barriers like what we are already seeing overseas, F&B operators could open for business. In fact, we observed that since the beginning of the CMCO, the F&B sector has recovered better than other retailers 

One may be able to negotiate the rental of a space and save on rent but on the other hand, F&B players are now forced to rely and spend on delivery services.

Of the 36 new cases, 28 involved foreign nationals, accounting for 78%.