Report any business that fail to comply with SOP, says Noor Hisham

CORONAVIRUS | Members of the public can report to the police or Health Ministry if they find any businesses that are not complying with the conditional movement control order (MCO) guidelines, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He told a press conference today that the laws under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act are still in effect under the conditional MCO, and action can be taken against those who fail to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by MOH.

"If there is any wet market, or supermarket, that does not comply with the SOPs issued by MOH, then a report can be lodged either with the police or the district health office.

"Investigation would be carried out, and if it is found to be true, actions would be taken. Perhaps by giving advice (first), or we can close them down," said Noor Hisham.

He was asked to comment on a media outlet's visit to several businesses in the Klang Valley today, which found that many had started receiving large crowds following the government's announcement that the MCO would be relaxed starting tomorrow.

The businesses, including supermarkets and eateries, had allegedly failed to enforce social distancing on their customers. Social distancing is one of the requirements by MOH under conditional MCO.

Meanwhile, asked on Sabah state government's decision to make higher learning institution students in the state undergo 14-day quarantine before being allowed to return to their home states, Noor Hisham (photo) defended the action.

He said although there are students who had been staying put at their hostels for four weeks, it was found that some of them had been mixing with people outside of their campuses.

"This is one of the reasons why they need to be screened again, and quarantined for two weeks," Noor Hisham said.

On another matter, he said MOH is also looking at enhancing their services to the senior citizens.

This includes a plan to have medicines delivered to them at their homes so that they do not need to venture outside their safe environment.

According to Noor Hisham, the senior citizens must be protected from Covid-19 and should not go out unless they really have to.

"We must protect them at home. We advise that they should not go out of their homes unless they really need to, like to go to a hospital for example.

"But even that, we are looking at how we can enhance our services to the senior citizens, like sending medicines to them.

"And maybe for those who are above age 75, we can have our doctors or healthcare workers to treat them at home," he said. - Mkini