Good morning, here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

• Enhanced MCO in Klang Valley
  
  

• AstraZeneca interval reduced
  
  

• White flag riles politicos
  
  

Enhanced MCO in the Klang Valley

Several parts of the Klang Valley will be placed under an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) from tomorrow (July 3).

Among the affected sub-districts include Cheras, Kajang, Klang, Rawang, Setapak and Sepang. The full list of affected areas can be found here.

This was amid the Covid-19 situation worsening despite a month of total lockdown. The number of new daily cases yesterday was the highest in 26 days.

However, the EMCO for the Klang Valley will be more lenient than the conventional one, which imposes a blanket curfew.

All entry points will be guarded and residents are not allowed to leave their homes after 8pm except for emergencies.

Check here for a list of dos and don'ts.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Annuar: Free parking in KL until Merdeka Day Minister hopes savings can help the people.
	EPF: i-Citra for withdrawal from Account 2 first EPF members below 55 eligible to apply.
	Asia factories weaken on new Covid curbs This is on top of rising costs.

AstraZeneca interval reduced

The government decided to cut the interval between the first and second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from 12 weeks to nine weeks.

Those who have already received their first dose under the first round of the voluntary programme in May should receive their second dose appointment soon.

Appointments started going out yesterday. Check your MySejahtera app.

The standard interval recommendation is between four to 12 weeks, with a longer period providing better efficacy. Check our guide here.

However, with a worsening pandemic, delaying the second shot for too long may not be ideal.

HIGHLIGHTS

	No private distributorship of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine It says quality not assured for non-authorised distribution.
	MOs' strike won't jeopardise healthcare delivery - organisers It is tentatively set for July 26.
	Cops probing tweet claiming abuse of MySejahtera data The tweet was made eight months ago.

White flag riles politicos

The grassroots white flag campaign which asks those in need to put up a white flag so that aid can be distributed to them has provided relief to desperate families worse hit by the pandemic.

However, the campaign has riled up some politicians who see it as propaganda aimed at putting the Perikatan Nasional government in a bad light.

There are also complaints that police ordered a resident to take down the white flag and threatened a fine. Cops denied this, stating the flag should not cause obstructions.

However, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun gave her thumbs up to the campaign, which she said encouraged public empathy.

HIGHLIGHTS

	KL's Hotel Istana to cease operations after 30 years The building is a landmark in KL.
	Hotels too are resorting to 'white flag' They want financial aid for the ailing industry.
	Two suicides a day on average - police Causes include emotional and financial pressure.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 6,988 new cases yesterday (July 1), the highest in 26 days.
  
  
• The infectivity rate continued to climb to 1.06, the highest since June 3.
  
  
• Active cases at 65,453, the highest since June 18.
  
  
• For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
  
  

What else is happening?

• MPs in large constituencies complained that the RM300,000 government allocation isn't enough to provide food for the poor but the Prime Minister's Office clarified that the allocation is to complement existing aid programmes.
  
  
• A nationwide operation led by district police chiefs will commence today to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedures against Covid-19, particularly in the Klang Valley.
  
  
• A Reuters report said the US is set to downgrade Malaysia to the lowest tier in its human trafficking report, which could impact US aid to Malaysia.
  
  
• Activists are organising a petition against a planned rare earth mine in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, which will affect the local Orang Asli community.
  
  
• The Federal Court will deliver its verdict today on Malaysiakini's appeal against an RM350,000 fine in a defamation suit brought by a gold mine firm.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	M'sia only country giving comprehensive moratorium - Zafrul It involves a sum of RM80 billion.
	'Not every M'sian can afford overseas schooling' - Gerak Education Ministry urged to expedite laptops for students.
	'They were shot dead, execution style' - Surendran He recalls the Glenmarie shootings.

What are people saying?

	#BenderaPutih a display of government incompetence By Khadeejah Abdul Halim
	White flags: How politics smear everything By Nathaniel Tan
	Aspiring students losing a chance in higher education By Jack Lee