PUTRAJAYA – Starting today until Saturday, Covid-19 positive voters will receive messages through the MySejahtera app to fulfill their voting responsibilities in the state elections taking place in six states on the same day.
Introduced by the Health Ministry (MoH) and the Election Commission, the guidelines aim to help Covid-19 positive voters participate in voting during their isolation period and minimising the risk of disease transmission.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Hassan said that voters will receive messages instructing Covid-19-positive individuals to contact the District Health Office or nearby health staff at the voting centre before going to the polling station.
“It aims to ensure that health officers in the relevant districts are ready to manage Covid-19 patients at the polling centre,” he said in a statement today.
The state elections and the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election are scheduled on Saturday in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.
Dr Radzi advised Covid-19-positive voters to arrive at the polling centre two hours before voting ends to reduce the chance of interacting with other voters.
Covid-19 positive voters are encouraged to avoid public transportation and always wear a face mask at the polling centre, except during identity verification when they are required to briefly remove the mask.
“They are also advised to maintain a safe physical distance at all times, especially when interacting with officials while face masks are removed,” he said.
After voting, Dr Radzi said they should immediately leave the polling area and maintain self-isolation until the Home Surveillance Order (HSO) period ends.
“For those currently receiving treatment at the hospital, they are allowed to be discharged at their own risk to vote, provided they follow the specified procedures.
“However, the hospital will not provide transportation services. So, patients are advised to use their own vehicles to get to the polling centres,” he added.
Covid-19 positive patients must continue their self-isolation at their residence or designated isolation location until the HSO period concludes, immediately after casting their votes.
Other voters are recommended to always practice social distancing and use hand sanitisers, Dr Radzi advised.
“(Voters) are encouraged to wear face masks, especially for those with symptoms or when in confined and crowded places.
“Get the Covid-19 vaccine quickly to lower the risk of infection, illness, and death, particularly for high-risk groups,” he added.
Dr Radzi said MoH is continuously monitoring the Covid-19 situation both domestically and internationally while ensuring that healthcare services are well-prepared. – Bernama, August 10, 2023
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