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PETALING JAYA: The busy streets near the Jalan Othman Market went silent after the area was placed under the Enhanced Movement Control (MCO) order.
Barbed wire fences have been installed in the PJ Old Town areas, closing three areas to outsiders.
It was the eighth area to be blocked by the authorities to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the order would be in force there for two weeks until May 23.
The measure came after 26 positive cases detected in the area.
Amid the strong presence of police and army personnel, the affected residents seemed calm and collected.
Many were seen on the perimeter of the fence, seeking help from friends to buy groceries and other necessities.
Some were also seen looking out the windows to see the army trucks and police moving.
A resident, who declined to be identified, said he was not surprised by the move after numerous cases of Covid-19 were detected.
“What can we do but follow the directive,” he said.
Another resident said he was concerned about not having enough food since his family had yet to provide for their daily needs.
“They came around around midnight. I saw them laying the barbed wire. There was no warning, ”said the senior citizen.
Trucks from the Malaysian Civil Defense Force carrying food were seen in one of the inspection areas around 10:30 am yesterday.
Staff were seen sorting bags of rice and other food in a local council truck before it was driven to quarantined areas.
OCPD Assistance Commissioner Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said the situation was under control.
“The total area is around 84 acres (34ha), with a perimeter of 3.4km. There are 437 houses in the area with around 2,600 residents, including foreigners.
“Food distribution has started. We hope that all affected households receive aid, “he said.
ACP Nik Ezanee said police would help bring residents to the three designated areas for health screenings.
He said that health officials would go to the homes of those with travel difficulties, such as the elderly.
While the app has been smooth so far, it said police made some arrests in two separate incidents.
The first involved a drunk truck driver, who crashed his vehicle at a stoplight.
Police also arrested four men in a car, who attempted to flee the area while the fences were installed.
A checkup showed that one of the suspects was wanted for a drug case.
Separately, Director General of Health Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said it would take them 10 days to actively investigate cases in the areas around the Jalan Othman market.
“Through active case detection through screening and testing, we can identify positive cases among residents there.
“Then we will isolate them and treat them in the hospital,” he said during his daily press conference.
Dr. Noor Hisham said that all local residents would be screened, including foreigners.
He said the action plan was similar to other improved MCO areas, which was to curb the spread of the disease.
“We have certainly seen the success (of this action plan) of the previous phases of the MCO,” he added.
Under the order, all residents are not allowed to leave the area, while visitors and non-residents are prohibited from entering.
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