FOREIGNERS and Malaysians returning home beginning Friday (April 3) would be required to undergo mandatory quarantine once they complete their immigration clearance process at entry points nationwide.
This, according to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, covered land, air and sea routes and at all border checkpoints in the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
“Tomorrow (April 3) will commence the compulsory quarantine for Malaysians who return from abroad, as well as anyone who enters the country.
“They will be quarantined for 14 days at facilities provided,” Bernama quoted him as saying at his daily media briefing on Thursday, after presiding over the special ministerial committee on the Movement Control Order (MCO) meeting.
Transport facilities would be provided to ferry individuals to the quarantine centres provided throughout the country.
On March 21, the government had gazetted 409 locations nationwide as quarantine centres to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
Ismail Sabri explained there would be a special committee to handle individuals placed under quarantine at the centres, which were adequate.
On efforts to enforce the Movement Control Order, Ismail Sabri announced police would carry out stringent checks.
Despite the reduction in the number of people detained during roadblocks and inspections, many still refused to adhere to MCO directives.
“At first, the police enforcement was done in the soft and advisory mode, then it changed into the stern mode and now it has entered the harsh mode. So, I hope the people will adhere to the MCO,” he was quoted over Bernama.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, said 562 individuals were arrested Wednesday compared to 583 on Tuesday.
This slight decrease n the previous day, which showed a slight drop in the number of arrests made during the MCO.
“If this 3.6 per cent drop reflects public compliance, then it is a good thing.”
Since the MCO was implemented on March 18, 4,189 people have been arrested and charged in court, mostly for obstructing public officers from discharging their duties.
Ministry of Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 208 new infection cases were recorded nationwide, bringing to 3,116 the cumulative number of cases. Five deaths were reported bringing the death toll to 50.
Patients undergoing intensive care treatment stood at 105 cases, with 54 requiring aid of ventilators.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization predicts the number of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia is expected to peak mid-April.
Malaysia has the highest number of infections in SouthEast Asia and remains firm with travel and movement restrictions imposed.
In Singapore, 49 more positive cases were identified bringing to 1,049 the number of cases with 266 fully recoveries reported.
In Thailand, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha announced citizens were barred from leaving their homes between 10 pm to 4am, beginning Friday.
