A MAAHAD tahfiz in Kelantan and a village in Bangkahulu, Negri Sembilan, are two of four areas subject to enhanced movement-control order (EMCO) following localised spikes in Covid-19 cases, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, adding the EMCO will start tomorrow and end on May 12.

Maahad Tahfiz Al Azhari (MTAZ) in Machang, Kelantan, and Kg Bangkahulu, Gemas, Negri Sembilan have seen an increase in infections, the minister said in a statement today.

“At the tahfiz school, we recorded 87 positive Covid-19 cases from 207 tests conducted. Cases have spread amongst MTAZ students and staff with high infectivity rates.

“As for the village in Bangkahulu, there are 38 positive Covid-19 cases. In the past two weeks, the positivity case increased 22.9%.

“Following the advice from the NSC, the government agreed to impose the EMCO on the village as well as the tahfiz,” Ismail Sabri said.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also announced EMCO for Sg Chalit and Sg Klau, both in Raub, Pahang.

“Currently there are four cases in Sg Chalit and one in Sg Klau. Seven more samples are being tested.”

The EMCO will affect two localities in Sg Chalit and five in Sg Klau: Kg Baru Sg Chalit, Projek Transformasi Luar Bandar (RTP) Sg Chalit, Taman Sg Klau, Taman Maju Sg Klau, Taman Kelau Jaya, Taman Harmoni and Kg Sg Klau, said Ismail Sabri.

He also announced the end of the EMCO at Aminuddin Baki Institute and Sri Layang staff quarters in Bentong, Pahang.

The EMCO in both areas were supposed to end on April 30.

“The Health Ministry screened 691 people and detected 31 cases. There is a significant drop and the clusters are under control. The last case was found on April 26.

“Due to the improvement, the government agreed to lift the order,” he added. – April 28, 2021.