THE National Security Council (NSC) is finalising the standard operating procedure for relaxed restrictions in Covid-19 green zones, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The defence minister said residents in these coronavirus-free areas may be granted more freedom of movement.

“NSC is at the final stage of completing the SOP for green zones, what can be done in these areas.

“For example, for gated areas or flats where there have been no Covid-19 cases for more than a month, we may allow some leeway.

“We may propose that they be allowed to leave their units and bring their children out. But, they still can’t leave the area. They can’t go out from the gated area.

“The SOP may include a time frame for each block. Three hours for each block, perhaps.

“NSC is working on the SOP, and we are getting feedback from all ministries so that the SOP covers all aspects,” he told a daily briefing on Covid-19 security-related matters today.

He said the SOP could be announced next week.

The nationwide movement-control order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19 came into effect on March 18 and will last till at least May 12. Several areas have been placed under the enhanced MCO, which is essentially a lockdown.

Ismail Sabri said public compliance with the MCO is still “unstable”.

“Sometimes, the number of arrests is low; sometimes, it is high. We had a low number of arrests for three days, and suddenly, on the fourth day, there was a spike.

“So, the rate is still unstable from the first phase of the MCO to the third phase, which ends today.”

Police have so far detained 21,106 people for breaching the government directive, with 741 charged in court. – April 28, 2020.