KUALA LUMPUR – A cabinet meeting yesterday was postponed after five ministers had to self-quarantine, following their return from Sabah.
The five which includes Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussien had come back after campaigning for the Sabah elections, said Sinar Harian in a report today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee were the other cabinet members who are in self-quarantine, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Ismail Sabri said he had taken a swab test upon arriving from Sabah and was required to be quarantined at home until he obtained the results.
"The swab test will determine the status and if it is negative, (I will be) free from quarantine," he said in a posting on Facebook.
"There still must be self-control even if found negative. Abide by the SOPs," he added.
Ismail Sabri also advised all those showing symptoms of the virus to head to a clinic or hospital to take a swab test.
"Therefore, if (someone) is found to have any close contact with those Covid-19 positive, they will be put under 14 days mandatory quarantine, even if their result is negative," he said.
Meanwhile, Hishamuddin has been put under quarantine beginning September 28, under the instruction of the Health Ministry.
On Facebook, Hishamuddin said he had recently returned from Pitas, Sabah to help the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Sufian Abdul Karim, who was later found to be positive.
"I was instructed to be under quarantine at home even though early tests found me to be negative," he said on Facebook.
"I know that there is a part of the BN machinery which has been found to be positive and hope all those affected would stay strong and get well soon.
"Even though we followed all SOPs during the campaign, we are facing a virus that cannot be seen, and which has high risks of infections." – The Vibes, October 1, 2020
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