'Fresh food supply not disrupted despite lockdown around KL wholesale market'

CORONAVIRUS | Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has assured that fresh food supply will not be disrupted despite the areas surrounding the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market in Selayang have been put under lockdown.

Ismail said this is because the market itself will continue to operate.

"They are not closing the wholesale market itself. We are only locking down the residential areas which are predominantly made up of Rohingyas holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) status.

"The market will open as usual," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Ismail was asked about the impact of the enhanced movement control order (MCO) on the area as many markets in the Klang Valley get their fresh food supply from the KL wholesale market.

The senior minister, who is in charge of overseeing the enforcement of the MCO, also assured that the overall fresh food supply is "more than enough".

"Considering domestic production, imports and storage, the supply is stable, under control and consistent to support the country's needs. In fact, it is more than enough," Ismail (photo) said.

Properties around the KL wholesale market was put under an enhanced MCO since midnight today.

The affected areas are:

• Parcel A: Jalan 6/3A, Pusat Bandar Utara, Kuala Lumpur
• Parcel B: Jalan 6/3A dan 9/3A, Pusat Bandar Utara, Kuala Lumpur
• Parcel C: Jalan 2/3A, Pusat Bandar Utara, Kuala Lumpur
• Parcel D: Jalan 2/3A, Pusat Bandar Utara, Kuala Lumpur
• Parcel E1: Taman Sri Murni Fasa 2, Jalan 1/2D, Kuala Lumpur
• Parcel E2: Taman Sri Murni Fasa 1, Jalan 1/2D, Kuala Lumpur
• Parcel E3: Taman Sri Murni Fasa 3, Jalan 1/2B, Kuala Lumpur
• Parcel F: Taman Batu View dan Taman Batu Hampar, Kuala Lumpur

Under an enhanced MCO, everyone is prevented from leaving their home under any circumstances and all businesses must close with heavy police and military presence.

For other parts of Malaysia, the regular MCO applies.

Under the regular MCO, only non-essential businesses and services have to be closed.

People are required to stay home but allowed to make short trips to replenish food supply or seek medication.

As of noon yesterday, Malaysia recorded 5,389 Covid-19 cases with 89 deaths.

Of those infected, 3,197 have recovered while another 2,103 are in treatment.

The MCO is scheduled to end on April 28 if it is not extended for the third time. - Mkini