CHILDREN below the age of 12 will now be prohibited from going out under the two-week total lockdown which begins today, the National Security Council (NSC) announced today in its latest standard operating procedure (SOP).

The guidelines stated children are barred to be present at any public premises and facilities except for certain situations.

The exceptions listed by NSC are emergency purposes, medical treatment, education and exercise.

Phase one of the total lockdown in the country begins today and is scheduled to end on June 14.

Yesterday, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said a total of 82,341 Covid-19 cases were reported among those below the age of 18 since the onset of the pandemic.

He said 19,851 cases involved those aged four and below, 8,237 cases involved children between five and six and 26,851 involved those between the ages of seven and 12.

The highest number of cases were detected among those in the age group between 13 and 17, where 27,402 cases were reported.

He said all these cases were under categories 1, 2 and 3, adding that none of them were treated in intensive care unit or critical care unit.

Adham also said  although there is no provision under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, which allows fines to be imposed on parents for putting their children at risk of exposure to Covid-19, he said investigation papers can still be opened.

Malaysia reported 6,824 fresh cases yesterday. Active Covid-19 cases are nearing the 80,000 mark, with the current figure standing at 79,523. – June 1, 2021.