5,450 residents in Lahad Datu under lockdown

 

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob says the government will distribute food to the affected residents.

PETALING JAYA: The government has imposed enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in two areas in Lahad Datu.

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this covered the Taman Khazanah Indah and Mutiara Kasih public housing schemes.

“It involves 5,452 residents and it starts from 12.01 am on Oct 13 to Oct 26,” he added through Facebook Live.

He said all residents will not be allowed to leave their homes and the government will distribute food to them.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

All roads leading in and out of the two areas will be closed. Exceptions will be made only for emergency cases such as deaths or those needing medical attention.

“Targeted medical swabs will also be carried out for residents in these two areas,” he said, adding that enforcement officers will be mobilised to guard the area.

Ismail said the decision was made during a National Security Council (MKN) meeting where it was also decided to impose several strict conditions to curb the transmission.

CMCO at Kota Belud, Sabah

Ismail further said the health ministry had also confirmed a surge in Covid-19 infections in Kota Belud, Sabah.

Due to that, MKN had agreed to impose a conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kota Belud from 12.01am on Oct 13 to Oct 26.

The move is to curb the transmission of Covid-19 and to allow detection of cases during the 14-day CMCO, he said.

In Kota Belud, only two people from each family will be allowed to go out to buy food and essential goods. Essential services, including factories, will be allowed to continue operating.

Wholesale markets, pasar tani and grocery shops will be allowed to operate, he added.

“Only take-aways are allowed at food outlets and restaurants,” he said.

Clinics and pharmacies will be allowed to stay open.

All schools, kindergartens, higher education institutions and religious premises will be closed during the CMCO, he added.

All sports, recreational, social and cultural activities will be barred, he said. Fishery, plantation and farming activities can continue. - FMT