EMCO at two localities in Pahang, one in Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR: Three localities — two in Pahang and one in Sabah — will be placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) for 14 days starting May 17.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the areas identified were Kampung Paya Teh in Jerantut and Seri Kemunting, Kuantan, both in Pahang, and Kampung Sungai Langgas, Kunak in Sabah.
The Health Ministry had detected 35 Covid-19 positive cases in Kampung Paya Teh after screening 54 residents.
“The ministry also reported a surge in cases with a high infectivity rate recorded within one week in the area. The EMCO will allow targeted testing to be conducted and also to control the outbreak at these localities,” he said in a statement.
On the situation at Seri Kemunting in Kuantan, Ismail Sabri said 16 people tested positive for Covid-19 from 62 residents screened.
“In Sungai Langgas in Kunak, up to May 15, 17 positive cases have been detected as a result of 34 screenings carried out on individuals in the locality. All three localities will be placed under a two-week EMCO until May 30,” he said.
Meanwhile, the EMCO imposed in two localities — one in Bentong, Pahang, and one in Mukah, Sarawak — will end earlier than scheduled.
Ismail Sabri said the government made the decision to lift the EMCO after a risk assessment by the Health Ministry and Covid-19 technical team had deemed it low risk.
“In Pahang, the EMCO imposed at Apartment Meranti, Midhill Apartment, Ramin and Vista Residence, Bentong, Pahang ended earlier than scheduled yesterday.
“Initially the EMCO was supposed to end on May 23 but due to a significant drop in cases and the low-risk situation, the government has agreed to end it earlier.
“In Sarawak, the government also decided to end the EMCO at Rumah Panjang Belayong, Rumah Panjang Muda, Rumah Panjang Tepi, Rumah Panjang Minggu and Rumah Panjang Undom at Jalan Bukut Balingian, Mukah, Sarawak tomorrow (today), four days ahead of schedule,” he said.
The EMCO at Rumah Panjang Luni, Manna, Nelson Chuat in Mukah will end as scheduled today. Ismail Sabri said out of the 151 tests carried out at the longhouse, only nine were found positive.
“Up to May 14, only three new cases were reported.
“Whereas at the five Rumah Panjang in Jalan Bukut Balingian, Mukah, health officials had conducted 315 screening tests and found 156 positive with Covid-19.
“The Health Ministry has given its assurance that this cluster is under control as only 13 new cases were recorded on May 12,” Ismail Sabri said.
However, the EMCO at two longhouses in Bukit DindingBergerik, Mukah, Sarawak — Rumah Panjang Jali Anak Empaling and Lanyau Anak Tuli — that was scheduled to end today has been extended until May 23.
On MCO standard operating procedure violations, 551 individuals were arrested, 519 of whom were issued compounds while the remaining 32 were remanded.