POLICE issued 673 compounds to violators of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) yesterday, the biggest spike since the implementation of this phase of the lockdown.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said raids on night clubs contributed the highest number of compounds (600 people) followed by social distancing (127) and failure to record customer details (14 cases).

“This shows the increasing defiance of the RMCO could be due to the people thinking that there is no need to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said in his briefing today.

Meanwhile, 98 people were remanded and seven more were bailed, bringing the overall number of people arrested yesterday to 778.

Meanwhile, of the 20,840 people that have returned to the country since July 24, 8,767 in compulsory quarantine in 72 hotels and four public training institutes, while 66 people have been taken to hospital for treatment and 12,007 were allowed to return home.

Ismail Sabri also said the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in Aman Jaya, Kedah, would be in force until September 10 after it was introduced on August 28.

He said the Covid-19 Fund had received RM44.5 million in contributions from the royal institution, private companies and Malaysians since it was introduced on March 11.

RM31.5 million was spent on the food basket programme, special funeral management assistance and special assistance for income loss.

The closing date to apply for Covid-19 special assistance has been extended until one month after the RMCO has ended. – Bernama, September 1, 2020.