KUALA LUMPUR – The government has extended the recovery movement control order (RMCO) nationwide by three months, until March 31, after the previous order lapsed yesterday.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made following a risk assessment conducted by the Health Ministry that found a high number of Covid-19 cases continue to be recorded on a daily basis.
“Among others, the rise in cases is contributed by the mandatory swab test on foreign workers that is currently being done in a number of targeted states.
“It (high cases) is also a result of community infections, especially in the Klang Valley and several other states,” he said in a statement today.
Last night, the government gazetted the extension of the Declaration of Infected Local Areas Order and the Measures within Infected Local Areas Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 until March 31.
This is to allow regulations to enforce restriction of movements during the pandemic.
Ismail Sabri said with the extension of the RMCO, existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be applicable, with any future changes to be announced accordingly.
“Among activities that are still in the negative list for areas under RMCO are activities in pubs and nightclubs (except restaurant operations in the premises), and any other activities involving a large crowd,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri announced that the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) at Apartment Ria in Jalan Genting, Bentong will end today, earlier than the initial January 6 date, following a risk assessment.
Separately, EMCO has been declared at Kejora Juara workers dormitory in Bukit Pasir, Muar Johor, and Westlite 1 and 2 workers dormitories in Senai, Johor, after a spike in Covid-19 cases in the areas.
Both dormitories will be placed under EMCO from tomorrow until January 15.
The EMCO at Kejora Juara involves 17 residence blocks housing 1,828 foreign workers, while the ones at Westlite comprises a total of seven blocks with 4,444 foreigners. – The Vibes, January 1, 2021
