PUTRAJAYA has agreed to lower the cost borne by those undergoing quarantine at public training institutes (ILA), said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister told a press conference in the Parliament building today the decision follows complaints that ILA facilities are not on a par with those of hotels.

“We agree that the facilities at hotels are way better than those at ILA. Therefore, we’ve agreed to lower the cost for those quarantined at ILA from RM150 per day to RM100. The cost for those quarantined at hotels remains RM150.”

He said the government has also agreed to waive the quarantine cost for B40 families, convicts released from prisons abroad and travellers stuck for a long time overseas due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“Students, including those from B40 families, are already exempted from paying the cost. Now, the government has agreed to pay for B40 families, too, so long as they provide proof of income.

“This also applies to convicts returning home after serving their sentence abroad, as well as travellers who have used up their savings after being stuck overseas for a long time. All of them must provide proof.”

Yesterday, the authorities conducted random checks on 1,434 individuals ordered to quarantine at home, and took action against five for violating the standard operating procedure.

Ismail Sabri said the government views seriously the issue of non-compliance as SOP breaches have led to a spike in new coronavirus cases. – August 10, 2020.