Two more buildings in KL under lockdown, 6,000 affected

CORONAVIRUS | The Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion buildings in Kuala Lumpur have been placed under the enhanced movement control order (MCO).

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was after 15 Covid-19 positive cases were detected in the premises.

"This involves some 6,000 residents in 365 residential and commercial units in the buildings.

"The purpose of the enhanced MCO is to curb the spread of Covid-19," he told a press conference in Putrajaya this afternoon.

Ismail, who is the senior minister for the security cluster, said the enhanced order, which takes immediate effect, would facilitate the screening of all residents.

The government, however, has not set a timeline for the latest enhanced MCO. Ismail Sabri said the order take effects from April 7 until all residents are screened. 

Previously, the Menara City One condominium in Kuala Lumpur was also placed under total lockdown.

Police and army personnel were seen cordoning off the Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion buildings even before Ismail made his announcement at 2pm today.

This was unlike the previous enhanced MCOs which came to force hours after the government's announcement.

In a statement, Ismail elaborated that only businesses selling essential items in the buildings are allowed to continue operations.

Residents are also allowed to order food from delivery services and they should be delivered only to the designated areas in the buildings.

The previous two enhanced MCOs were applied for two villages in Simpang Renggam, Kluang on March 27 and seven villages in Hulu Langat yesterday after a spike in Covid-19 cases there.

As of noon yesterday, Malaysia recorded 3,793 Covid-19 positive cases with 62 deaths.  - Mkini