ALOR SETAR – Police in Kedah have warned that they will be double-checking applications for interstate and inter-district travel after recording a noticeable spike in such requests despite the current movement control order (MCO).
State police deputy chief Datuk Mohd Roze Shaari said that the ban on such travelling remains in place despite the start of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
“Kedah remains stuck at phase one,” he told journalists here.
He urged people to be patient and resilient in fighting Covid-19 and not resort to citing flimsy excuses in a bid to move across borders.
“We want to advise the people not to use fake reasons to return home to their villages to celebrate Aidiladha on Tuesday. It is best to stay home to avoid contracting the virus.”
Roze said that the police will step up their checks and will issue compounds to those who defy the ban and other MCO standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Those seeking to cross their respective districts can contact the state police contingent at 04-7741275 or go directly to the district control rooms.
Under current SOPs, police only grant permission on grounds of family or work-related matters, as well as emergencies including Covid-19 vaccination appointments and other medical issues.
Meanwhile, Tourism Langkawi chairman Ahmad Pishol Isahak urged everyone to cooperate with the authorities in trying to break the chain of infection.
This will allow the island resort to return towards welcoming back tourists.
“There is no point in pursuing other matters such as marketing or offering new attractions. The most important thing is to break the transmission and allow the district to become a green zone,” said Pishol.
He believes that this can be done in view of the island also having a high vaccination rate, as only about 75,000 are currently residing there – The Vibes, July 18, 2021