KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): Even after the Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted, Malaysians should continue to adopt precautionary measures like social distancing, said Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

This should be done for the next six months up to a year, Dr Noor Hisham told reporters today. The MCO is currently scheduled to last until April 14.

Besides practising social distancing by keeping at least a metre apart from one another, avoid handshakes and always wash your hands, the D-G said.

And refrain from holding large gatherings, he added.

"We strongly recommend against large public gatherings for the next six months to a year," he told a press conference today.

He was responding to a reporter's question about holding Ramadan bazaars during the fasting month for Muslims, which starts in mid-April.

He said it would be better that such bazaars are avoided. Instead, he suggested that authorities come up with an online platform for bazaar traders.

So far, authorities in Terengganu, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor have already cancelled their Ramadan bazaars.