Sudden surge leads to EMCO in 5 Sabah localities

 

This comes after a surge in new cases in a short span of time in the affected localities.

PETALING JAYA: Five localities in Sabah will be placed under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) from July 12 to July 25.

In a statement, deputy prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said these are the QL Farm in Membalua, Tawau; Kampung Pikat in Bongawan, Papar and three areas in the state capital namely Kampung Suang Parai, Taman Kingfisher Sulaman and Bandaran Berjaya.

Ismail said the government decided to place QL Farm under total lockdown due to a high infectivity rate, with 13 out of 49 people screened testing positive for Covid-19.

On the other hand, he added, Kampung Pikat saw a rise in infections within a week while the three Kota Kinabalu localities recorded a sudden surge in new cases in a short span of time.

The EMCO at Kampung Jawi-Jawi in Kota Belud, which was supposed to end tomorrow, has also been extended to July 25.

The total lockdowns in a number of areas will come to an end tomorrow as previously planned, Ismail said, starting with the areas surrounding Bandar Jerantut in Pahang. A total of 198 people from the 5,851 screened tested positive during the period.

In Sabah, the EMCOs at Kampung Tuunon in Penampang; Kampung Tawadakan and Kampung Bungan in Kota Belud; and Kampung Perpaduan in Kudat will also draw to a close tomorrow.

This is also the same with five localities in Kuala Lumpur namely Flat Seksyen 2 Wangsa Maju, Flat Seksyen 1 Wangsa Maju, Kampung Puah and Flat Desa Pandan (including Baiduri Delima Wangsa Maju), all in Titiwangsa, and Taman Koperasi Polis (Fasa 1).

However, the EMCO and screenings at Taman Koperasi Polis Fasa 2 will be continued.

417 arrests for MCO offences

Ismail said 417 people were arrested for various MCO-related offences, adding nine of them were remanded while the rest were issued fines.

He said one illegal immigrant was arrested under Op Benteng while two vehicles and two vessels were seized at the same time.

“A total of 766 people who arrived at all the country’s entry points were also placed under quarantine,” he said.

Cumulatively, 245,706 people who returned to Malaysia have been placed under isolation in 79 hotels and 10 public training institutes as well as private institutes.

Ismail said the authorities throughout the country held 85,123 inspections and Covid-19 spot checks yesterday.

“Following this, 52 premises involving factories, business outlets and construction sites were ordered shut after failing to follow the SOPs fixed by the government,” he said. - FMT