SARAWAK will extend the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) on the Kuching urban village of Kampung Haji Baki by week, instead of the two ordered by the National Security Council (NSC).

The order, imposed on October 28, was to have ended tomorrow but the NSC yesterday decided to extend the order until November 24.

Sarawak’s state disaster management committee today did not state why it would not follow the federal NSC’s two-week order.

However, the committee did say that the one-week extension was  because tests on 448 samples taken in a second round of screening have yet to be completed.

Another 392 residents in the village of 3,264, have yet to be tested, the committee added.

The village has two Covid-19 clusters – Bah Arnab and and another named after the village.

The Bah Arnab cluster saw a total of 12 cases, including the index case, while the Baki cluster has 33 cases, including the index case – a businessman who travelled frequently to Sabah.

Meanwhile, Sarawak recorded six new Covid-19 cases today with a Health Department staff returning from a course in Sabah among the victims.

She had been in Sabah since August 16 to attend a basic medical course at the Ministry of Health Training Institute (ILKKM).

The Lawas-stationed staff underwent the mandatory test at the Merapok immigration, customs, quarantine and security (ICQS) border post upon returning on October 28.

The first test taken on October 30 turned up negative.

However, while in quarantine, she developed symptoms and two subsequent tests – last Saturday and yesterday –  showed she was positive.

She is now warded at Miri Hospital for treatment. – November 10, 2020.