We now have what is called the Recovery Movement Control Order which lasts until 31^st December.  The border is firmly closed as are all in Asia.  So we cannot go anywhere.  Immigration are allowing us to remain on our expired visas – mine expired on 14^th June.  So that is good of the Malaysian government. The nightmare scenario is that they tell us to leave; with no borders open (Tanzania, with almost no medical facilities, is the closest at 4,000 miles away) we have nowhere to go except home by ‘plane.  Leaving the boat behind.  Not a good option.

Malaysia has done really well in managing the Corona virus. With 30 million people if we had an infection rate of over 100 a day we were disappointed.  On many days there were fewer than 10. But now we have a spike with 317 yesterday and 100 of them on the mainland opposite to me.  Mind you most of them are in a prison but one prison worker has died.

Carnage afloat. Three ferries which were rafted together on one mooring broke loose and came ashore taking a cruising boat with it.  A tug and barge got out of control and damaged four anchored boats before steaming off to India.  The owners of the yachts are having an uphill struggle to get compensation. The anchorage outside the marina is not good with very soft mud and lots of debris on the bottom.  A lot of boats were left here, owners went home for a short  visit and then were not allowed back in because of lockdown. Every time it blows one or two end up on the beach. The boat almost opposite to me sank taking the pontoon finger with it.  Luckily there was no boat on the other side of the finger.  The boat was neglected, the owner is in America and has no insurance.  Four weeks on the boat is probably valueless and no solution in sight. Refloat it, tow it to deep water and sink it?

So what next?  It seems clear that we will not be out of the woods by the end of the year.