PRIVATE citizens and civil society groups planning to send aid for the needy during the movement control order (MCO) are advised to register their intent at the nearest Welfare Department (JKM).

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, by doing so, the authorities will be able to trace the movement of these people, and make it easier to conduct contact tracing in case of a positive Covid-19 incident.

“We are not stopping anyone from helping the needy and we are not trying to make it hard to deliver aid.

“However, we want to make sure of their safety, therefore we advise them to register with JKM.

“In the instance of a positive Covid-19 case, the authorities can immediately conduct contact tracing because we don’t know who carries the virus.

“It could be from the sender or even from the recipient,” Ismail said.

On April 2, JKM introduced a guideline for volunteer groups helping the needy during the MCO, which stated any groups planning to distribute food must inform JKM a day in advance.

JKM also stipulates groups are only allowed to distribute cooked and dry food.

Movement is restricted to two volunteers from each group, and they must be escorted by Rela and the Civil Defence Force.

They must also adhere to hygiene requirements set by the National Security Council for volunteers. – April 17, 2020.