The Malaysian government has decided to extend lockdown measures until June 28 in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Friday.  
  
"This decision was made after taking into account the number of daily cases which are still high, above 5,000 a day, with an average of new cases as of yesterday (Thursday) at 6,871," Ismail Sabri said in a statement.  

A nationwide lockdown banning all economic and social activities except essential services has been in place since June 1 and was supposed to last until June 14.  

Malaysia's tally of COVID-19 infections reached 646,411 on Friday as it reported 6,849 new cases. Its death toll stands at 3,768.