CORONAVIRUS | More than 1,000 people were sent to quarantine centres on the first day of a new rule requiring all Malaysians returning from overseas to be isolated at centralised facilities for 14 days in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Previously, those returning from overseas were allowed to self-isolate at home but the government decided to impose tougher measures beginning yesterday after some were found to be flouting the condition.
"Yesterday alone, 1,118 people were quarantined nationwide and 711 of these were arrivals from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)," Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (above), who is also the coordinating senior minister on security matters, told a press conference in Putrajaya today.
He said coupled with the number of people previously already placed under isolation, the quarantine centres are now holding 4,933.
He said there are a total of 90 quarantine centres nationwide with a capacity of 40,000 people.
"We have more than enough as we only have 4,000 people right now," he said.
He also refuted claims that those returning from abroad were brought in prison trucks to detention centres.
He said those returning are transported by buses while trucks are used for their luggage.
Ismail also clarified that Malaysians returning to Sabah and Sarawak via KLIA will be allowed to continue their onward journey and can quarantine there.
However, he said those who do not have tickets for the immediate homeward journey to East Malaysia will still be sent to quarantine centres in the Klang Valley.
"For example, if their return ticket to Sarawak is only in three or four days after they arrive at KLIA.
"For these passengers, they will have to exit the airport, therefore, they will be sent to quarantine centres in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and other nearby areas," he said.
[More to follow] - Mkini
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