2 Sarawak villages put under EMCO for 2 weeks

KUALA LUMPUR: The Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) will be carried out in two localities in Sarawak — Kampung Binyu Lama in Kuching and Kampung Binyu Baru in Samarahan — from April 4 to April 17.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the two-week EMCO would be enforced after a surge in Covid-19 cases was detected in the areas.

He said the Health Ministry had tested 11 residents of Kampung Binyu Baru, with four turning up positive.

“This EMCO will ensure a fast and effective Covid-19 control action to prevent the spread of infections in the community,” he said yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said up to April 1, 57 cases had been reported in Kampung Binyu Lama.

“The Health Ministry has confirmed a spike in cases and high infectivity rate in the community. The EMCO will facilitate the Health Ministry to carry out early detection of suspected Covid-19 cases so that they can be isolated, and to contain the infection,” he said.

Meanwhile, six people were arrested for flouting the Movement Control Order’s standard operating procedures (SOP) on Friday. Ismail Sabri said five were issued compounds and one was remanded.

The offences were failure to use MySejahtera or a logbook (three), attempting inter-state and interdistrict travel without permission (two) and not wearing face mask (one).

The SOP compliance task force on Friday had carried out inspections nationwide at 4,427 supermarkets, 5,348 restaurants, 2,172 factories, 3,277 banks, 909 government offices and 3,858 hawker stalls.

Also checked were 101 markets, 168 places of worship, 15,382 recreational places, 3,520 land transport terminals, 1,761 water transport terminals and 726 air transport terminals.

He said one illegal immigrant and five smugglers were rounded up in Op Benteng.

He said 1,422 returnees who arrived at international arrival points on Friday were ordered to undergo quarantine.

Under the screening programme for foreign workers, he said 1,260 workers were tested on Friday and six were found to be positive.