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JOHOR BARU (THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – The inhabitants of Johor have been urged to give everything they can to combat Covid-19 so that Singapore reopens its border with the state.
Johor MCA Government Affairs Coordinating Chairman Michael Tay said Singapore would not reopen the two ground checkpoints if Covid-19 cases in Johor spiked.
“We have been declared a red zone. This is not good, especially as we are looking to reopen the border for workers soon,” he said, adding that Singapore managed to reduce its daily Covid-19 cases to single digits.
Tay expected everyone to adhere to standard operating procedure (SOP), such as maintaining proper distancing and wearing masks whenever they are away, and said Johor’s economy has been negatively affected since the border closing on March 18.
“If the government announces a conditional movement control order (MCO) similar to the one in the Klang Valley here in Johor Baru, we are all going to have serious problems,” he said, calling on everyone to be meticulous in controlling the spread of the disease. .
The chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce and Industry Johor Baru, Low Kueck Shin, echoed the call, adding that some sacrifices must be made to keep the numbers low.
“We need to work very hard to make sure the numbers don’t go up in the next few months. This is crucial for the state’s economy.
“I urge everyone to take SOP seriously. Sacrifices must be made such as limiting unnecessary travel,” he said, adding that business in Johor Baru would be greatly affected if the district remained a red zone for some time or if a conditional OLS is established implemented.
“As such, I urge employers to be vigilant and take note of the health of their workers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Malaysian Tourist Guide Council, Jimmy Leong, urged the public, including stakeholders in the tourism industry, to continue to strictly follow SOPs.
“We must continue to adhere to the guidelines even after the district is no longer considered a red zone. We must not lower our guard,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the state Health and Environment Committee, R. Vidyananthan, said that Johor Baru district was declared a red zone on Thursday (October 29), and surveillance of the situation is expected to improve after a expected increase in the number of cases in the near future.
He said there were 65 active cases in the district as of Thursday.
“Ten new Covid-19 cases were reported on Thursday, including nine cases from existing clusters and one from other examinations,” it said in a statement Friday.
Meanwhile, the state government ordered the closure of kindergartens, kindergartens, community rehabilitation centers (PDKs), activity centers for children and the elderly, as well as religious schools, in Johor Baru district, after the area was declared a red zone.
This comes after the Ministry of Education made a similar call to close all educational institutions in the district for two weeks, starting on November 1.
The chairman of the state committee for women’s, family and community development, Zaiton Ismail, said that some 124 registered Taska, nine PDKs, 105 day care centers, two activity centers for the elderly and two activity centers for children in Johor Baru would be closed from November 2 to 14.
“Taking into account the current development of the Covid-19 pandemic in Johor and the confirmation of the Johor Baru district as a red zone by the Ministry of Health, we have decided to close the kindergarten and child care centers and other centers. of similar activities in the district to curb the spread of the disease.
“This is also in line with the letter issued by the head of the state Department of Social Welfare (JKM) on October 12 that all Taska, nurseries, activity centers and PDKs were to be closed for areas that have been declared a red zone. “, said. it said in a statement.
It added that some 265 kindergarten classes and four Taska classes under the state Department of Community Development (Kemas) involving about 7,104 children would also be closed.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the chairman of the Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee Tosrin Jarvanthi said that all religious education institutions in Johor Baru and Kulai would be closed for two weeks, starting on November 1.
“This involved all state government religious schools, Tafiz centers, madrasah and private religious schools registered under the Johor Religious Department.
“The order also applies to the Tafiz and Madrasah centers that have not yet registered with the department,” he said.
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