KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government has agreed to allow Kedah permission to implement an administrative enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in four areas.
This is following a spike in Covid-19 cases there that are attributable to the Sivagangga Cluster, according to Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pix).
He said the order will take effect from today (Aug 3) until Aug 30.
“Taking into account the 11 new cases involving the SIvagangga Cluster in Kedah, the state government has requested to implement an administrative EMCO in four localities.
“Today’s special Cabinet meeting on the implementation of the MCO has agreed to allow Kedah to implement the order,” he said in a media briefing in Parliament, here, today.
According to Ismail, the affected areas are:
- 1 kilometer radius from Restoran Nasi Kandar Salleh, Pekan Napoh (Mukim Hosba, Kubang Pasu)
- Kampung Pida Satu, Megat Dewa (Mukim Ah, Kubang Pasu)
- Kampung Bendang Dalam (Mukim Binjal, Kubang Pasu)
- Kampung Ulu, Padang Sanai (Padang Terap)
Ismail Sabri said the implementation of the administrative EMCO would utilise existing government SOPs, with the addition of road blocks at all entrances and exits, and the closure of several main roads in the area.
“We will still allow residents to leave the area for work, but they will be screened each time they re-enter. As for outsiders, they will be barred from entering,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said health officers would also conduct Covid-19 screening on all residents within the EMCO areas.
“Additionally, mosques and other houses of worship will similarly be closed for religious activities, including Friday prayers.
“However, we will allow three individuals to perform congregational prayers in the mosques at any one time,” he said.
He added that all schools and kindergartens within the area have also been ordered to close down during this period. It is understood that five schools have already received the order.
“Nobody expected these areas in Kedah to have their movements restricted like in phase one of the movement control order. And like I have said before, our freedom could be jeopardised if cases continue to increase, like in Kedah.
“The same situation can happen elsewhere. Which is why we should all be responsible in ensuring cases remain low,” he said.
