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Malaysia to ease most lockdown measures 

Medical workers wearing protective suits pass by barbed wire at the red zone under enhanced lockdown, amid the coronavirus outbreak in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia in this file photo. — Courtesy photo
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia will lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses on Wednesday, including a ban on travel between its states, after a lockdown of nearly three months although its international borders will remain closed. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced in a televised address on Sunday the novel coronavirus outbreak was under control and Malaysia would begin a new recovery phase until Aug. 31. Malaysia had gradually allowed businesses to reopen with social distancing guidelines over the past month, after shutting all non-essential businesses and schools, banning public gatherings and restricting travel on March 18. Malaysia has reported 8,303 cases with 117 deaths, with the pace of infections slowing in recent days. — Agencies