Special exemptions are given to certain cases involving emergencies and necessary services with MoH’s permission

by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by BERNAMA

CROSS-border restrictions have been imposed for travels to and from Sabah beginning Oct 12 to 25.

It was earlier announced that the travel ban was to take effect from today until Oct 20, but the dates were later revised to give an extra six days before the travel restrictions take place next Monday.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the restrictions will involve movements from the peninsula, Sarawak and Labuan.

However, he said, special exemptions are given to certain cases involving emergencies and necessary services with the permission of the Health Ministry (MoH).

“Permission to enter Sabah will be given to Sabahans; spouses who have valid immigration passes or proof of marriage and childbirth certificates.

“Additionally, permission is also given to essential service workers who have valid immigration passes, students, federal civil servants who serve in Sabah and Sabah permanent residents,” he said in a statement yesterday.

For travels out of Sabah, permission will be given to emergency cases and official duties with MoH’s permission.

Individuals who are allowed to leave Sabah must undergo a Covid-19 screening test by the MoH upon arrival at the entrance of their respective destinations.

Any queries can be submitted to the Sabah State Disaster Operations Room at 088-369434.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the police made 363 arrests for Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) violations on Monday. Of the total, 144 individuals were arrested for not wearing face masks in public areas.

“Other offences were premises failing to record patron details (129), failure to maintain physical distancing (53), premises operating beyond stipulated hours (17), pub and nightclub activities (15), entering a Targeted Enhanced MCO area without permission (2), breaking quarantine order (1), gambling (1) and failure to provide valid travel documents (1).

“Of the total that were arrested, 307 individuals were compounded, while 56 were remanded,” the minister noted.

The operation task force led by the police carried out 34,637 inspections on Monday to monitor the standard operating procedures (SOPs) compliance during the RMCO.

Under Ops Benteng, the authorities arrested 151 undocumented migrants and one skipper for entering Malaysia through an illegal route.

A total of 133 roadblocks were also conducted by the police together with the authorities from the Malaysian Border Control Agency and Malaysian Armed Forces.

On mandatory quarantine, 42,000 individuals returned to the country from abroad through the international check points from July 24 until Oct 5.

They have all been placed at 65 hotels and 14 public training institutes nationwide.

“Of that number, 9,659 individuals are undergoing mandatory quarantine and 106 individuals have been sent to the hospital for treatment.

“Meanwhile, 32,235 individuals were discharged and allowed to return home,” he added.

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs enforcement team conducted daily monitoring on the supply of goods which involved 672 business premises.

Overall, the supply of essential goods in the country is sufficient, easily available and able to meet the demand of citizens.

Ismail Sabri also noted that the enforcement team performed 1,062 special inspections on the SOP compliance of business premises.

Of that number, he said 1,046 premises complied with the prescribed SOPs, while 16 premises were given advice for not complying with SOPs.