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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia said on Monday (September 28) that it will impose strict movement restrictions on four Sabah districts after reporting more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections there in September.
Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that as part of efforts to contain the outbreak, non-essential businesses in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna districts will have to close starting Tuesday for 14 days.
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The partial lockdown comes amid a recent surge in COVID-19 infections in Malaysia and concerns that a state election that concluded on Saturday will exacerbate the outbreak.
Malaysia reported 115 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, and Sabah accounted for 98 of the infections.
Of the new cases, 112 are local transmissions, while three are imported cases.
Malaysia’s infection count has passed the 11,000 mark, with 11,034 cases. There are 1,011 active cases.
About 960,000 residents in Sabah will be affected by the Specified Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO), said Mr. Ismail Sabri.
“Taking into account the number of cases, the government, on the advice of the Minister of Health, has decided to implement an administrative TEMCO in these areas,” he added.
During TEMCO, all residents are prohibited from leaving the affected areas, and non-residents and visitors cannot enter the four districts.
READ: COVID-19: Malaysia is in no rush to open its borders, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Ismail Sabri said that all business activities in the four districts will stop except essential goods and services, while medical bases will be opened in those areas.
All entry points to and from affected areas will also be closed. To ensure full compliance, the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Malaysian Civil Defense Force, the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department, local authorities and authorized personnel will monitor the areas.
“For the implementation of this order, all residents are asked to remain calm and provide full cooperation to the staff of the (health ministry) and comply with all directives issued by the authorities,” said Mr. Ismail Sabri.
Sabah accounts for 25 percent of the crude palm oil produced in the world’s second-largest exporter.
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