Malaysia to ease lockdown early to stanch economic bleeding

Muhyiddin laments $550m daily losses but keeps some restrictions in place

20200501 malaysia lockdown

Firefighters spray disinfectant on a Kuala Lumpur street during Malaysia's lockdown. © Reuters

P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writer

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia on Friday announced that most businesses will be allowed to reopen on Monday -- with some notable exceptions -- after a six-week nationwide lockdown that slammed the brakes on the economy.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the restrictions will be lifted now that the daily rise in new coronavirus cases has been held to double-digits over the past two weeks. The extended lockdown was to run until May 12.

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