The government has agreed that several selected sectors of the economy will be reopened gradually with strict healthcare and movement control guidelines during the third phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from April 15 to 28.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he understood that the country's economy was affected by restrictions placed on industrial, manufacturing and business activities during the MCO period.

"I understand that the economy of our country is affected by the restrictions on industrial, manufacturing and business activities throughout the period the MCO is enforced.

"For this reason, the government has agreed that some selected sectors of the economy will be reopened gradually with strict healthcare guidelines and movement control," he said in a special address which was broadcast live on Friday.

Thus, Muhyiddin said, a special cabinet committee co-chaired by the Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry and the Senior Minister of Defence was formed to examine the list of selected economic sectors to be opened in stages.

"I want to stress that the opening of some of these restricted sectors do not mean that we are relaxing the movement control order.

"The order is still in force and all directives issued by the authorities must be complied with. If there are operators, factories or companies violating the regulations, the government will revoke the permission granted," Muhyiddin said.