MOH proposes recovery MCO be extended

COVID-19 | The Health Ministry has recommended that the National Security Council extends the recovery movement control order (MCO) beyond Aug 31 when it is scheduled to end.

Its minister Dr Adham Baba said the recommendation was following the World Health Organisation (WHO) expecting the Covid-19 outbreak to last for at least two years.

He said the two-year period was a long time and various efforts have been implemented by the government, including embracing new norms to enable people to understand the common need to address the spread of Covid-19.

“For the recover MCO which will end on Aug 31, the MOH has made a recommendation to the NSC and also to the prime minister for it to continue until the situation is under control. So it is up to the prime minister to announce it in the near future.

“We can see certain countries are still struggling with the increasing number of cases while we, here, are still strengthening and controlling the country’s entry points and borders well,” Adham said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the "Socso Prihatin" programme at the Felda Bukit Besar hall in Kulai today.

Also present were Socso chief executive officer Dr Mohd Azman Aziz Mohammed and Johor Socso director Tong Sing Chuan.

Adham said the MOH would continue to implement the active tracking method through the MySejahtera application, and customer record books, to identify individuals involved in Covid-19 clusters.

When asked to comment on the RM1,000 fine imposed on the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, he said it relied on the decision set by the authorities.

“That (RM1,000 fine) has been resolved. Health director-general (Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah) has already commented on the issue on Twitter.

“We (MOH) look at various angles. It is the maximum compound of RM1,000 (under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342), if anyone (authorities) want to bring on other charges, it is up to them,” he said.

Earlier, the MOH in its statement, said that Khairuddin committed offences under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 and Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

It provides for a maximum fine of RM1,000 or six months imprisonment or both, upon conviction.

- Bernama