Govt to re-look MCO in states with virus spikes

Putrajaya will evaluate the movement control order (MCO) currently in force, as authorities battle a fierce spike in daily Covid-19 cases nationwide.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the focus would be on states which have been reporting high numbers of cases in recent days.

“This reassessment is important to ensure the SOPs in force and the actions taken are effective to curb the spread of Covid-19 which has been on the rise in the country and globally,” said Muhyiddin.

He said the government has been using an early warning system under the Hotspots Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) to identify high-risk areas and premises.

“These premises will be ordered to close if they are found to have been visited by a large number of those who are positive for Covid-19.

“This approach is in line with the government’s decision to control and curb the spread of Covid-19 on a targeted basis,” he said in a statement.

Several states have been experiencing a surge of Covid-19 infections including Sarawak and areas in the Klang Valley.

Of the nearly 4,000 cases reported yesterday, more than 1,000 were in Selangor alone.

Schools in several areas have been closed while Education Minister Radzi Jidin said earlier this week that classes would be held online for the two weeks after the Aidilfitri break.

A total of 22 Ramadan bazaars across the country meanwhile were ordered to close over Covid-19 fears.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday voiced concern over the situation in the country, urging the people to continue adhering to health SOPs as daily cases continued to breach the 3,000 mark.

He said the health ministry was expecting daily numbers to surpass 3,000 after Hari Raya Aidilfitri if a lack of strict compliance with SOPs causes a spike in infectivity rate.