Heed CMCO rules, urges Health D-G
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians have been reminded to act responsibly by complying with the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and refrain from balik
kampung during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reiterated his call for Malaysians to consider celebrating Aidilfitri at home and avoid visiting relatives as well as cemeteries to reduce the risk of getting infected by Covid-19.
Based on the experience of other countries affected by the pandemic, he said, the ministry was concerned about the possibility of a spike in cases in the postfestive period.
“From experience and data compiled in other countries, the number of cases will increase significantly about two weeks after a festive celebration (period) since people will leave for their hometowns to celebrate it.
“To contain the outbreak, it is not only the responsibility of the Health Ministry, but also through the collective effort among us all by complying with the standard operating procedures (SOP) under the CMCO.
“Avoid visiting homes and cemeteries during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, observe social distancing and practise utmost hygiene,” said Dr Noor Hisham during his daily press conference here yesterday. He said the interstate travel ban was one of the measures introduced to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases post-Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“The interstate travel ban is aimed at reducing the exodus to balik kampung for Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This is because we fear that the virus could be brought back to their hometowns.”
The ministry, he said, did not detect any significant increase in new Covid-19 daily cases throughout the CMCO period, although the modelling was not as effective in reducing the number of infections compared with the four phases of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“We will proceed with implementing the CMCO since the modelling is cost-effective compared with the MCO.”
Earlier, Dr Noor Hisham announced that the ministry detected 78 new cases yesterday, bringing the total number of cases to 7,137.
“Of the 78 new cases, 25 were contracted abroad, while of the 53 local transmissions, 40 involve non-Malaysians. Twenty-five cases were detected at the Bukit Jalil Immigration depot.”
He said all illegal immigrants tested positive for Covid-19 and as they were detained at the depot, they would be deported back to their respective countries only after they had recovered from the infection.
“Our policy is we will only deport individuals who test negative for the infection.
“Those (illegal immigrants) who test positive will be isolated and given treatment until they recover.”
Dr Noor Hisham was asked about his Hari Raya Aidilfitri plans.
He replied that although this year’s celebration would be slightly different due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he would maintain his tradition of spending the first or second day of Raya with health frontliners.
“Previously, I would go to the hospital to be with the frontliners who are on duty during the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri after performing the special prayers.
“This year will be no different. Maybe after performing Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers at home, I will be heading for the hospital to be with the frontliners.”