NABAWAN in Sabah will be placed under the movement-control order (MCO) from March 3 for two weeks after 177 positive Covid-19 cases were reported in 15 villages in the district, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister said the Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed a sharp increase in cases involving clusters in the district with a high rate of infection.

“After conducting risk assessments with various agencies and on the advice of the MOH, the government agreed to implement the MCO in Nabawan,” Ismail Sabri said in a statement.

He said the MCO is needed to control the movement of residents and the spread of infection in the community.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a second MCO from January 13 to 26 for six states following an alarming rise in infections. The MCO was later expanded nationwide, save for Sarawak.

Ismail Sabri also said 611 people were arrested for flouting the MCO yesterday and from this number, 548 were issued compounds and 27 were remanded.

The offences included lack of physical distancing (169), cross-district/state travel without permission (122), not wearing a mask (90) and premises operating beyond permitted hours or without permission (30) among others. – March 1, 2021.