State Govt wants CMCO extended
KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has sent an application to the National Security Council (MKN) for the latter to extend the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Sabah, said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.
“As of now, the State Government has already submitted an application for an extension of the CMCO to the MKN for their approval, considering that the number of Covid-19 cases in the state is still high,” said Masidi, who is also the state’s official Covid19 spokesperson, in a press conference yesterday.
Currently, the CMCO in Sabah is scheduled to end on October 26.
“We will only recommend because the eventual decision would have to come from MKN. MKN is the sole authority to decide the standard and for how long the CMCO (will take place).
“We have to wait for their decision,” he said.
When asked to comment on whether the standard operating procedures will be tightened, Masidi said that he would have to and consider the ongoing developments as the cases are still high.
Separately, Masidi said that based on the Employment Outlook, The First Quarter of 2020, Volume 4/2020 report by the Sabah Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), the state’s unemployment rate has increased by 42 per cent during the first quarter of 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Masidi said the State Government is relying on the “self-discipline” of Covid-19 patients who have been ordered to undergo home quarantine instead of going to a hospital, to abide by the order.
This order would only be given to those who are living alone or with those who have also tested positive for the virus, he said when asked how exactly the Government could ensure these Covid-19 patients would lock themselves in their rooms throughout the home quarantine period.
“This is the responsibility of each individual. The Ministry of Health (MOH) may disclose the types of treatment required. However, whether or not these treatments would work would depend on the cooperation of all those involved
“To me, I don’t think that a family member would purposely expose their other family members to the virus,” he said..
“Our hope is that all those involved will take this responsibility seriously so that the number of infections will be reduced,” he added.
During the press conference, a reporter claimed that MOH deputy director Datuk Dr Rohaizat Yon had said the MOH had never approved any home quarantine orders for Covid-19 patients.
In response, Masidi said he was not aware of this statement.
“We are not aware of that statement. According to our records, obviously, they have been allowed to stay at home for treatment and they have been treated accordingly,” he said.
On Thursday, Masidi announced that low risk Covid19 patients would now be allowed to undergo home quarantine due to the hospital bed shortage in the state.