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GEORGE TOWN: Several roads surrounding Penang Pretrial Prison will be fully or partially closed under the Enhanced Movement Control (MCO) order.
The whole of Jalan Penjara, a part of Jalan Berek and a part of Jalan Lim Khoon Huat will be closed from 12:01 am on Thursday (October 15) until 11.59 pm on October 27.
INTERACTIVE: Latest figures (Malaysia)
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said that three roadblocks and three police checkpoints will be set up in the area to ensure the public does not enter restricted areas.
“Schools, places of worship and economic activities will be closed in the area.
“Religious, social and recreational activities are not allowed during the enhanced OLS.
“A total of 610 prison staff members, including 220 staff members and their families, living alone, will be quarantined in the area during the enhanced MCO.
“There are 2,298 inmates in Penang Pretrial Prison, seven staff rooms with 117 units and eight houses for prison officers,” he told a news conference at the George Town district police headquarters on Patani Road on Wednesday. (October 14th).
The area covers a perimeter of 1.37 km and an area of 53,621 square meters.
ACP Soffian added that 158 officers and staff will be involved in the road blocks during the enhanced MCO.
“A total of 98 personnel from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), 18 personnel from the army, 24 personnel from Rela and 18 personnel from the Civil Defense Force (APM) will be deployed to assist with roadblocks.
“We urge the public not to panic and to remain calm.
“The improved MCO only involves Penang Pretrial Detention and staff quarters and not the entire Northeast District as claimed.
“We urge those involved to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and not leave the area except in an emergency.
“We also urge the public not to spread inaccurate information on social media or WhatsApp groups,” he said.
On Tuesday (October 13), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the Penang Pretrial Detention and the prison officers’ quarters will be placed under an improved MCO.
Prison authorities on October 12 (Monday) stated that an improved MCO was imposed on the blocks where inmates tested positive for Covid-19.
This resulted in the tightening of standard operating procedures, such as a ban on physical movement in and out of the prison and conditional entry and exit for staff and guards.
Visits from relatives, embassy lawyers, NGOs and people outside the prison are also not allowed during the entire period.
On Monday alone (October 12), 141 positive cases of Covid-19 were found among prison inmates.
INTERACTIVE: Latest figures (worldwide)
Meanwhile, some 2,000 inmates at Seberang Prai Prison will have to undergo a Covid-19 test after three of them became infected on Tuesday (October 13).
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