‘Second screening a must’
Minister: Overseas returnees who fail to undergo it may face action
PETALING JAYA: Returnees from abroad are reminded to go for their second Covid-19 screening voluntarily or face getting escorted for testing by the police, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Senior Minister (defence) said this after being asked to comment on the Health Ministry’s statement that 1,472 individuals under home quarantine, called Person Under Surveillance (PUS), had yet to undergo their second screening.
Ismail Sabri said that action can be taken against those who failed to go for the second screening as it violated the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
“Although we allow for home quarantine, the standard operating procedure (SOP) needs to be adhered to, such as wearing the (Health Ministry-issued) wristband and not leaving one’s house (throughout the whole quarantine period),” he said.
He said the second screening – held on the 13th day of an individual’s home quarantine period – was important.
“It’s when the individual tests negative during the second screening that the wristband can be removed,” he said.
He urged that the 1,472 individuals undergo the second screening or police will be sent to escort them to the screening places.
“Either you go to the clinic yourself or wait for the police to come,” he added.
Ismail, who was speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya yesterday also announced that sermons (tazkirah) were now allowed in mosques and surau around the country.
Solat Dhuha (voluntary prayer between Subuh and Zohor prayers) will also be allowed in mosques and surau, he added.
“Mosques and surau are also allowed to hold a sermon before Friday prayers – based on the SOP that has been set as well as the size and capacity of the venue – starting this Friday,” he said.
Religious classes in mosques and surau can also start but social distancing must be observed during classes.
On another matter, Ismail Sabri said that 55 people were arrested on Tuesday for violating recovery movement control order (MCO) regulations. Of these, 11 were remanded and 44 were issued with compounds, he added.
He said that the police under its Compliance Ops Task Force had conducted checks on 3,896 supermarkets, 5,574 restaurants, 1,625 farmers and public markets, 4,087 religious sites and 1,632 recreational sites.
Several activities that violated the recovery MCO SOP, such as karaoke sessions, were found to have been held, he added.
Ismail Sabri also confirmed that Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa holders are allowed to enter the country but said they needed to undergo Covid-19 screening.
He said this after being asked to comment on a June 25 incident where a MM2H dependent was turned away at the Johor Causeway, as he had not undergone a test for Covid-19 before trying to enter Malaysia.
“They need to undergo the test before coming into Malaysia.
“They need to show a certificate that says that they do not have Covid-19 and that they are fit to travel,” he said.
The government meanwhile, is waiting for the Singapore government to loosen the restrictions for Malaysians going into Singapore.
“If we loosen the restrictions for Singaporeans going into Malaysia, Singapore also needs to loosen the restrictions for our citizens travelling into Singapore,” he said.