Three zones in the district will be affected, namely Kenanga, Mawar and Melur, involving up to 22,360 individuals

by S BIRRUNTHA/ pic by RAZAK GHAZALI

THE government has enforced a Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) in Amanjaya, Kedah, effective midnight (Aug 28), until a date to be announced later.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this affects up to 22,360 individuals involving 265 households within three zones in the district, namely Kenanga, Mawar and Melur.

“All individuals in these zones will be screened for Covid-19. Residents are not allowed to leave the affected areas, while outsiders will be barred entry into these zones.

“The TEMCO was enforced following a spike in Covid-19 cases due to the Tawar cluster in Kedah,” he said in his Recovery MCO press conference yesterday.

Ismail Sabri announced that the operation hours of essential services such as stalls, eateries, sundry shops and petrol stations in the zones are restricted from 8am to 8pm.

Only clinics and hospitals will be allowed to operate 24 hours, while pharmacies and medicinal stores are only allowed to operate until 8pm.

“Morning markets will be allowed to operate within the affected areas. However, the operation hours are from 6am to 2pm only.

“Only one representative from each household will be allowed to leave to purchase essential items or for other needs,” the minister added.

In emergency cases such as the need for medical treatment or death of a close relative, residents must first seek permission from the authorities to be allowed to leave their zones.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also announced that business premises are no longer required to record the temperature of customers.

He said instead, only the name and phone number of customers should be recorded in the book if they do not use the MySejahtera application.

“Temperature recording is to find out if customers are symptomatic or not. If they are showing symptoms, they should not be allowed to enter. However, it is no longer mandatory for premises to record them,” he added.

Additionally, the senior minister reiterated that business premises including 24-hour convenience stores are only allowed to operate until midnight.

He said there were reports that a few convenience stores were operating 24 hours even though the stipulated hours had not been revised by the government yet.

Private clinics, however, are allowed to operate 24 hours and it must comply with the prescribed standard operating procedures, including the use of MySejahtera application.

On the country’s borders, Ismail Sabri said it will remain closed for non-citizens’ entry.

He said the government understands the plight of those affected, especially restaurants with staff currently in countries such as Thailand, or those with home helpers that are still stuck in Indonesia or the Philippines.

“The government sees the health aspect as the most important right now. The danger is great, and the ones who would have to suffer are Malaysians.

“So, we have made the decision not to loosen the controls yet and the borders will still remain shut,” he added.