KUALA LUMPUR – The prime minister is expected to announce a second movement control order by Monday, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.
Acknowledging speculation on the matter via social media, Ismail said the government noted Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s remarks on January 6 to reduce the rising surge in Covid-19 infections.
It is understood that the National Security Council is in talks with various ministries to ensure that the approach taken to fight the pandemic will be acceptable to all quarters, and would balance economic and public health needs.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri reported that the police detained 277 individuals yesterday for not complying with standard operating procedures under the current conditional movement control order.
“276 were compounded, while one has been placed under remand,” said Ismail Sabri.
With regards to Op Benteng to curb illegal entry past Malaysian borders, the authorities detained 26 illegal immigrants and seized nine land vehicles yesterday.
Besides this, since Putrajaya’s initiative to screen foreign workers in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, and Labuan, 119,940 individuals have undergone the Covid-19 tests up till January 8.
“Of that number, 2,574 were confirmed positive while 117,336 were negative,” he said.
He also said that teachers and lecturers along with their families returning to Sabah must undergo a swab test three days before arriving.
“Meanwhile, those returning to Sarawak must perform a swab test before or when arriving in the state. All costs for the screening will be borne by the Health Ministry,” he said. – The Vibes, January 8, 2021
