Govt has no plans to restrict interstate travel, says Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Okt -- Menteri Kanan (Kluster Keselamatan) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob bercakap ketika sidang media mengenai perkembangan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan di Wisma Pertahanan Kementerian Pertahanan (MINDEF) hari ini. --fotoBERNAMA (2020) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA   KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 -- Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaking during a press conference regarding the development of the Recovery Movement Control Order at Wisma Pertahanan Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) today. --fotoBERNAMA (2020) COPYRIGHTS RESERVED

MoH is still analysing the situation and conducting risk assessment, especially in CMCO areas

by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by BERNAMA

THERE are currently no plans to reimplement travel restrictions in the country, despite the spike in new Covid-19 clusters linked to interstate and inter-district activities.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob (picture) said the Health Ministry (MoH) is still analysing the situation and conducting risk assessment, especially in the areas of Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

“No restriction on travel yet. We are still allowing people to cross states and districts.

“However, those who are afraid of infecting others by travelling to other areas can get themselves tested three days before travelling,” he said during a press briefing yesterday.

On Monday, Health DG Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said a total of 14 Covid-19 clusters detected in the country related to cross-state travel and social activities since Dec 7.

Ismail Sabri also announced that the Enhanced MCO (EMCO) at the Amber Court Apartment in Genting Highlands and Muar Correctional Rehabilitation Centre, Johor, has been extended for two more weeks.

He said the EMCO in both localities were previously scheduled to end today.

“MoH wants to conduct a second round of close contact screening since there is a high risk of infection in these areas.

“Hence, we have agreed to extend the EMCO in these two places from Jan 7 to Jan 20,” he noted.

For the Amber Court Apartment, the minister said a total of 1,180 people have been screened with 454 positive cases detected so far, while in the Muar Correctional Rehabilitation Centre, a total of 827 screenings have been conducted with 40 found positive.

On another note, Ismail Sabri reminded flood victims to always adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) throughout the disaster so that the transmission of Covid-19 can be fully contained.

He added that the government has provided SOPs that need to be complied with by the victims and agencies involved in the evacuation process.

The District Disaster Management Committee has been asked to provide more temporary evacuation centres to avoid congestion if victims are increasing in an area.

Ismail Sabri said assistance from NGOs such as food and necessities are welcomed.