INTERSTATE travel since December 7, 2020 has brought about 51 Covid-19 clusters with 6,468 cases, said Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, urging the public to put off unnecessary travelling.

The Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, visits to family members, attending weddings, birthdays, funerals, courses and even delivering sermons were among the reasons cited by the public for crossing state lines, he said in a statement today.

Interstate travel was allowed during this period until the ban came into force on May 10 as infections spiked.

However, a total of 20 clusters caused by interstate travel, with 1,420 cases, were reported between April 1 and May 28 alone.

Noor Hisham said the country was also struggling with the emergence of community clusters, which were further broken down to sub-clusters. These also came about due to the Hari Raya festive season.

A total 1,019 cases were identified from community clusters in various states.

“Although the government had banned visiting and festive gatherings (for Hari Raya), there were still many who were defiant to a point that there are new Covid-19 clusters, some even leading to death,” he said.

“These clusters and cases are expected to increase and will involve more states and districts.”

He urged people not to repeat the same mistake with the upcoming Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai celebrations in East Malaysia.

Noor Hisham reminded the public that the inter-district and interstate travel ban is still in force, and that no visits and gatherings should be held during the full lockdown from June 1 to 14. – May 29, 2021.