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PUTRAJAYA: Stricter regulations may be re-enforced if the public does not follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), resulting in an increase in Covid-19 cases, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob warned.
“If cases skyrocket and the Ministry of Health wants us to review the SOP, we will.
“For now, the ministry has not advised the National Security Council on this matter, but we do not rule it out,” he said yesterday at a press conference.
Ismail Sabri was asked if the government planned to review the SOP for recovery and conditional motion control orders, given that Covid-19 cases were on the high side in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
The government, he said, could tighten regulations again after having relaxed them, as happened previously.
He cited, as an example, the withdrawal of the home quarantine permit for those returning from abroad.
“After several incidents of people violating home quarantine rules by leaving or throwing away their pink wristband, the authorities again made returnees undergo mandatory quarantine at government-designated stations,” he said.
Ismail Sabri also announced that the conditional MCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah had been extended from December 31 to January 14 due to the upward trend in Covid-19 cases there.
“Based on the advice of
Ministry of Health, the special meeting of the National Security Council decided the extension, “he added.
In Perak, the improved MCO imposed on the Langkap immigration depot and the rooms in Hili Perak has also been extended until January 14.
However, the conditional MCO in Ipoh, Chemor and the Hulu Kinta sub-district ended earlier than planned yesterday.
For Negri Sembilan, Ismail Sabri said that the conditional MCO in Seremban has been extended to
January 14, while for Port Dickson, ended yesterday.
For Johor, the conditional MCO
In Johor Baru and Batu Pahat it was also extended until January 14, while for Kulai it ended yesterday, he added.
“The upgraded MCO in Kluang prison and the quarters was extended until January 14,” he said.
The conditional MCO in two Penang sub-districts was also extended until January 14.
“As of December 26, the number of positive cases and active groups was still high,” he said.
To a question, the Chief Minister said there was no announcement about travel restrictions for those coming from countries where the new variant of the Covid-19 virus was detected because the government had already prevented foreigners from entering Malaysia since the start of the pandemic.
He said the country’s borders were closed to tourists and only diplomats and expatriates were allowed in.
“Even then, this permission is not granted to all diplomats or expatriates.
“Those of the 23 countries announced (in September) still cannot enter,” he said.
Citizens of the 23 countries that are long-term pass holders are prohibited from entering Malaysia.
Nations include the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, India, Russia, Peru, Colombia, South Africa, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Iran, and Bangladesh.
As for Malaysians in the affected countries, the government could not prevent them from returning home, as it was their right, Ismail Sabri said.
Meanwhile, he said the Health Ministry will have the option to either compose employers who fail to comply with mandatory screening tests for foreign workers or take them to court.
In response to the anger of some who were unhappy with the 1,000 ringgit fine imposed on the owner of a wandering factory, Ismail Sabri said it was the maximum fine under the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act of 1988.
“Therefore, we are giving the Ministry of Health leeway to bring the perpetrators to court instead of fining them, as more severe penalties can be imposed,” he added.
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