by S BIRRUNTHA/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE cost for each person undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine at the quarantine station is estimated to be around RM4,700.

However, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Malaysians will only need to pay a maximum of RM2,100 or 44.7% for hotel room charges and three meals a day.

“The government bears the remaining cost of RM2,600 or 55.3%, including transportation costs from the border entrance to the quarantine station,” he said in his Recovery Movement Control Order statement yesterday.

This includes the cost of food, drink and personal protective equipment suit for health, security and secretariat staff, as well as cleaning costs at the quarantine station.

Previously, those returning to Malaysia were allowed to complete their quarantine at home, but since many were seen to have violated the order, the government ordered all individuals returning from abroad to undergo the quarantine order at the quarantine station since last Friday.

Meanwhile, the senior minister said a total of 1,631 individuals have returned home through the international border entrance yesterday.

All of them were stationed at nine quarantine stations in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Negri Sembilan, Penang and Johor from last Friday to Monday.

They returned from 22 countries namely the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, India, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, Iran, Bangladesh, Taiwan, China, the UK, Australia and the Netherlands.

The Royal Malaysia Police conducted 1,776 inspections on individuals who are undergoing mandatory quarantine at their respective homes yesterday.

Separately, the Sabah government has decided that anyone returning from overseas and entering the state either by sea, land or air must undergo mandatory quarantine starting today.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the quarantine period will be for 14 days as stated by the State Health Department for those under the person under surveillance (PUS).

“The cost of quarantine at quarantine stations or gazetted hotels is RM150 per day, while the cost for those holding the people with disabilities card will be borne by the government.

“Foreigners and individuals from other states will have to pay the RM150 daily rate for quarantine centres provided by the government, while citizens from Sabah can stay for free,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He added that the PUS, however, will bear the cost of testing to be fixed by the department. Mohd Shafie also said the state government has ordered all sailors and crew members allowed to sign on or off at all ports in Sabah to undergo Covid-19 tests beginning today.

Additionally, he said the state has taken measures to tighten and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) due to the current Covid-19 situation in the state.

The SOPs include the wearing of face masks in public areas, maintaining social distancing and personal hygiene.

The chief minister also reminded those returning from overseas and wishing to enter Sabah to adhere to the entrance process and quarantine guidelines.