Negri to decide on May 8 whether to follow federal conditional MCO guidelines

SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan government will decide on Friday (May 8) whether to adhere to the Federal Government's conditional movement control order (MCO) in toto, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

He said his administration will gather feedback from more quarters before making the decision.

"All state executive councillors, as well as state legal and finance officers, have given their views on this and we will decide this Friday at the state-level National Security Council meeting.

"We will also discuss the powers of the state and the Federal Government on such matters as well as the standard operating procedures needed under such circumstances," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri here.

Aminuddin said the meeting will also discuss if there was a need to continue with the next phase of the conditional MCO. The current phase ends on May 12.

The Negri Sembilan government had relaxed several restrictions under the conditional MCO announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on May 1, which includes opening up approved sectors of the economy.

However, it has not allowed food and beverage outlets to open for dine-ins for the time being.

Sports or social activities were also prohibited as the number of active cases here then was still high.

On a separate matter, Aminuddin said 770 traders at the main wet market and their workers have undergone Covid-19 screening since Sunday (May 3).

So far, three have tested positive for the virus.

The Seremban City Council closed the market on Sunday after some of the traders were found to have come into close contact with wholesalers from the Selayang market who had also tested positive for the virus.

Asked when the wet market will be reopened, Aminuddin said this would only be decided once the state government receives the green light from the health authorities.

He said following the closure of the wet market, the state government has allowed several hypermarkets and supermarkets here to open two hours earlier in the morning to allow people to shop for their groceries. - Star