AN enhanced movement control order (EMCO) was today issued for PJ Old Town, an area encompassing Jalan Othman market and its vicinities, in Petaling Jaya. 

In a statement today, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the lockdown was ordered on the advice of the health minister, following the detection of 26 Covid-19 cases in the area.

The lockdown is in effect for two weeks starting today.

“There are 26 confirmed positive Covid-19 cases in the wet market in Jalan Othman and there is a risk that the virus could spread into the Petaling Jaya Old Town area,” Ismail said.

“Therefore the Health Ministry has advised that the area be placed under the EMCO from May 10-23.”

There are about 2,900 residents in the three zones under the EMCO.

The affected areas are Zone A (Jalan Penchala, Jalan 4/33, Jalan 4/37, Jalan 4/39, Jalan 4/41, Jalan 4/44, Jalan Terus 4/42, Jalan 4/43, Jalan 4/46 and Jalan Othman 4/4D); Zone B (Jalan 2/29, Jalan 2/29A, Jalan 2/27, Jalan 2/32, Jalan 2/25, Jalan 2/26, Jalan 2/34, Jalan 2/34A, Jalan 2/23, Jalan Dispensary 2/38 and Jalan Pasar 1/21); Zone C (Jalan Selangor, Lorong 3/57D, Lorong 3/57C, Jalan RIDA 3/56 and Jalan Sentosa 3/57).

On May 1, it was reported that the Jalan Othman market was closed pending virus screening of all the people who were there during the April 5-18 period.

Petaling disaster management committee chairman Johary Anuar estimated 1,500 traders and visitors will be tested for infection.

That followed an April 29 screening exercise at the market, which had yielded four positive cases. – May 10, 2020.