THE government has no plans to implement a new round of its movement control order in view of the hikes in Covid-19 cases as the situation is still under control, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“No. We will not impose (another) MCO,” he told a press conference today.

He said this to quash rumours that a fresh MCO will be imposed nationwide to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

He added that, although there is an increase in Covid-19 cases, the situation is still manageable.

Malaysia yesterday recorded 287 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest number of cases recorded in a day in the country so far.

Ismail Sabri said although a large number of cases have been reported in Kedah and Sabah, the infections are in controlled areas.

“Although the nation recorded 287 cases yesterday, 35 of 113 cases in Sabah were from the Benteng cluster, which is a prison.

“Of 129 cases in Kedah, 128 were reported in the Tembok cluster, which is also a prison. So, the cases are not worrying as they are in controlled areas.”

Over the past two days, Malaysia registered more than 500 new cases, with a record-breaking 287 cases yesterday.

Ismail said although the numbers soared for the past few days, it remains at a safe level in other states.  

Sabah and Kedah recorded triple-digit cases yesterday, while Selangor recorded double-digit cases. 

However, Ismail said Selangor still does not have any red zones.  

“Besides these two states that recorded triple digits, only Selangor was double-digit yesterday but still most districts are in the yellow zone. 

“Other states average between one and three cases. So, they are also in the green and yellow zones,” he said, adding that it would be impossible to have zero cases nationwide because no vaccine has been found yet.  

Ismail said instead of a nationwide lockdown, authorities would impose a targeted enhanced movement-control order on localities as and when necessary.  

“Even if cases increase in a particular state, we will identify the places in the state and probably place the particular locality on lockdown.  

“We will not put the entire nation, state or district under lockdown. Only the targeted areas,” he added. – October 3, 2020.