Covid-19 quarantine centres must be 'liveable' - Health DG

CORONAVIRUS | Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah says that all quarantine centres established by the government to cater to Covid-19 patients and overseas returnees must be "liveable".

Commenting on the issue of a quarantine centre in Sabah, which is in dire and dirty conditions, he said the Health Ministry would not recommend such a facility to be used.

"The facilities ( for use as quarantine centres) are identified by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).

"In the beginning, they took all the facilities available. So they have to ensure which one is liveable.

"Those that are not liveable, we too would not recommend them to be used," he told Malaysiakini.

Earlier today, several photos and a video clip of a quarantine centre in Penampang, Sabah, for house overseas returnees went viral on social media platforms.

The images showed the unkempt condition of the hostel, including dirty rooms and unclean toilets, one of which did not even have a door.

Following this, the Sabah state government responded to the matter where Sabah Health and People's Wellbeing Minister Frankie Poon admitted that the basic facilities at some quarantine centres in the state were not up to the mark.

Poon told Malaysiakini that the state government is repairing basic amenities and also working to set up WiFi connectivity, improve the food quality and provide water kettles for those undergoing quarantine.

The state government would also provide an option for those willing to undergo the 14-day quarantine at three hotels in Kota Kinabalu on their own expense.

Under the new order by the government, all overseas returnees who arrive in the country starting April 3 would have to undergo a 14-day quarantine at government facilities.

Meanwhile, asked whether the quarantine order includes airline crew and pilots, Noor Hisham said they are looking into the matter.

He said their main concern are returnees who could have been exposed to Covid-19 when they were abroad.

"Our fear is those who were exposed. The crews are not. But if they were, we will see into the matter.

"So far this order is for the returnees who could have exposure (to the virus)," he said. - Mkini