New work-from-home regulations for the tightened current movement control order (MCO 3.0) are expected to affect close to seven million workers across the private and public sectors, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri said today.

The move will be implemented in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan beginning May 25 until June 7.

Ismail said the figure represents 80 percent of the civil service or approximately 750,000 staff and 40 percent of the public sector or around 6.1 million workers.

Further details on the work-from-home order for the private sector will be made available by the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

He said the move was part of the government's strategies to further reduce the movement of people with the other being to reduce the operating hours of commercial premises from the previous 10 pm to 8pm.

Business premises will also be only allowed to start their operations from 8am under the new regulations, unlike at 6am currently.

Only pharmacies will be allowed to remain open until 10pm. Another exception is petrol stations located along highways that can continue to operate 24 hours.

On the road, he said authorities will be erecting more roadblocks together with increased monitoring by all agencies authorised to issue compounds on those who flout the MCO's SOPs.