THE tight security at the PKNS housing project in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, is a comfort to local residents  worried about Covid-19 infection following the death of a flat dweller.

Twenty-three cases of the coronavirus have since been detected among the residents.

Kampong Baru Masjid Jamek imam Azizi Ab Hamid, who lives near the two 16-storey block of flats, said he hoped there would be no more infections now that there is strict control over people entering and leaving the residential scheme.

“Police checking and registering all those going in and out,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The virus death launched a mass testing exercise on Sunday in Kg Baru, the iconic Malay enclave in the city centre that was an early hotbed of Malay nationalism and is the last traditional Malay village in the modern capital.

On Monday, Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 23 cases of infection were detected on the first day of screening. The patients have been isolated and are being treated.

Imam Azizi said about 700 of the 1,000 residents were screened by the Health Ministry on Monday. Others had voluntarily undergone tests for Covid-19 elsewhere.

“With the screenings, we hope there will be no further cases. Those who have no business going outside, please don’t go outside out. There are shops at the flats selling wet and dry goods for your needs.”

During a visit to the area, The Malaysian Insight saw police and Rela officers guarding the entrance to the flats. Another entry point had been cordoned off.

The buildings are not under lockdown, unlike the Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion and the Masjid India area in the city where an enhanced movement control order (Emco) is in force.

Here, residents may leave their flats after having their temperature taken and registering with the police on duty.

Outsiders are not allowed into the area except for vehicles delivering food and essential services.

Sabariah Sharif, 56, who lives in the flats, said she appreciated the checks and movement restrictions.

“It’s for our own benefit. We are all concerned and afraid of the virus. It may be difficult not to go out, but the thing is, the virus is invisible. Some people look healthy but they could have it.

“So we are relieved the police are here to control the situation and that they are checking people’s MyKad and asking us where we are going and for what purpose,” she said.

Another resident Hasniza Md Nor, 39, said her job allowed her to work from home so the restrictions did not bother her.

The marketing manager said she only went out when it was necessary and after she had taken all the precautionary measures to prevent infection

“The frontliners are doing a good job. We just need to cooperate for our safety because we are at war with something we can’t see.”

While food delivery is allowed past the police checkpoint, courier and parcel services are not.

People had to leave their units to collect their packages at the checkpoint.

Mohd Rushda Husni Ab Samad, 31, who works as a freight forwarder, said he was nervous about delivering goods to areas where Covid-19 infections had been detected.

He said he took the necessary measures, such as regular use of hand sanitiser, wearing a mask and social distancing, but could not help worrying.

“We just have to be careful. When we deliver the goods we prepare the records and keep them for the customer.

“Previously the customer will fill out the submission document and sign it. Now we just take a picture,” he said.

The MCO was enforced on March 18 to halt the spread of Covid-19 and will last until April 28.

As of yesterday, Malaysia has 4,987 infections and 82 deaths. – April 15, 2020.