PM wants MCO 'reviewed', Health Ministry moots it for 'red zones'

 

The government will review the movement control order (MCO), especially for regions experiencing a sharp rise in new Covid-19 cases.

In a statement today, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the review was necessary to ensure that people abide by Covid-19 protocols so that effective measures to stem the spread of the virus can be taken.

It was uncertain if Muhyiddin meant that only states currently affected by MCO, Kelantan and Kedah, are subject to the review, or whether MCO derivatives - the enhanced, conditional, and recovery MCOs - will be included. 

This morning, Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming speculated that Klang Valley might have a third round of MCO. This region has experienced new cases in the four-digits for five straight days.

The country has recorded an R-naught number of above 1.00 for 23 days straight. An R-naught of more than 1.00 signified the spread of Covid-19 is increasing.

Muhyiddin said the government is using a Hotspots Identification for Dynamic Engagement (Hide) system to evaluate Covid-19 risks.

"Premises which are visited by a large number of Covid-19 positive persons will be ordered to close," he added.

The prime minister also urged the public to always comply with Covid-19 protocols to protect themselves, their family, and society.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said his ministry has proposed an MCO on states with a high number of Covid-19 cases as the pandemic showed no sign of slowing down, with daily new cases exceeding the 3,000 mark for the third day in a row.

He said a proposal for the MCO to be imposed in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor, Kedah and Sarawak had been submitted.

"The Health Ministry has suggested to state governments, the federal government and National Security Council to impose the MCO following a thorough risk assessment, where we looked at several key indicators.

"The matter is being discussed in-depth and an announcement (on the MCO implementation) will be made soon," Adham was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times, adding that his ministry will not propose a nationwide MCO.

Adham also noted that the number of Covid-19 patients requiring intensive care reached a record high of 328 yesterday. - Mkini