EMCO AT SITIAWAN FACTORY EXTENDED

Health Ministry confirmed active virus transmissions at workers’ hostel, says Ismail Sabri

THE Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) for the YTY Factory and its workers’ hostel in Lekir, Sitiawan, Perak, that was scheduled to end today, will be extended until April 15.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made after the Health Ministry confirmed active Covid-19 transmissions were still happening among hostel residents, with seven positive cases detected up to March 28.

The Health Ministry, he said, had conducted 1,174 screenings at the locality with 109 tested positive.

Scheduled to end tomorrow, Ismail Sabri said, the Henry Gurney School in Telok Mas, Melaka, would undergo another two weeks of EMCO until April 16, following a spike in new cases in the locality with 101 test samples pending.

So far, the ministry has conducted 1,277 screenings and 63 positive cases have been reported in that locality.

Ismail Sabri said the government had also agreed to enforce EMCO in three more localities due to a sudden spike in cases with a high infectivity rate in the community.

The localities, namely Kampung Ranggu Batu 10, Mukim Balung; Fasa 2 Taman Semarak and Kampung Baru Pasir Putih, Mukim Sri Tanjung in Tawau, Sabah, will be placed under EMCO starting today (April 1) until April 14.

“At Kampung Ranggu Batu 10, the Health Ministry has conducted 59 screenings with eight tested positive to date.

“At Fasa 2 Taman Semarak, 16 screenings have been conducted with six positive cases reported while the remaining nine samples are still awaiting test results.

“At Kampung Baru Pasir Putih, the Health Ministry has conducted 89 screenings and eight positive cases have been recorded so far while 75 test samples have results pending,” he said.

The EMCO, he said, would allow the ministry to conduct targeted screening on all residents involved and regulate their movement to stem the spread of Covid-19.

On violators of the restricted movement standard operating procedures (SOP), Ismail Sabri said nine people had been nabbed and slapped with compounds on Tuesday.

He said seven of these offenders were detained at entertainment outlets, while two others had failed to comply with physical distancing requirement.

“The 3,850 compliance teams, comprising 16,191 personnel, carried out inspections at 5,718 restaurants, 4,471 supermarkets, 2,809 banks, 3,914 hawkers, 96 markets, 2,255 factories and 867 government offices.

“They also inspected 166 places of worship, 16,744 recreational spots, 3,204 land transport terminals, 1,651 water transport terminals and 558 air transport terminals,” he said.

On quarantine measures, 884 returnees who arrived via international entry points on Tuesday had been instructed to undergo mandatory quarantine at designated centres nationwide.

Ismail Sabri said 7,248 people were currently undergoing mandatory quarantine at 80 hotels and eight other premises, and 151,001 had been discharged to return home while 1,193 were taken to hospital for further treatment.

On mandatory Covid-19 screenings for foreign workers, Ismail Sabri said nine out of 5,189 workers screened were found positive with the coronavirus on Tuesday.

“According to the Human Resources Ministry, 664,946 foreign workers involving 34,379 employers have been screened for Covid-19 so far.

“Of the total, 10,073 of the foreign workers had tested positive for the virus while the results for 654,873 came back negative.

“To date, 1,539 clinics are involved in the screening programme.

“This is in line with the government’s directive, which made it compulsory for foreign workers to undergo Covid-19 screening since Feb 1,” he said.

Ismail Sabri added that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry had conducted 734 daily checks on 11 essential items at 543 retailers, 160 wholesalers and 31 manufacturers on Tuesday.

“All 1,610 inspected premises were found to be strictly complying the SOP.”