FIFTEEN localities in Sarawak, Sabah, Pahang and Perak will be placed under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) from June 7 to 20.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in Sarawak, the affected areas are Rumah Panjang anak Umba, Rumah Panjang Tulu anak Sli, Rumah Panjang Duah anak Entingi, Rumah Panjang Balin anak Gema, SK St Luke and the Nanga Baoh health clinic in Batang Oya, Dalat.

“The Ministry of Health (MOH) detected a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases within a week, when 27 positive cases were reported based on the screening of 40 longhouse occupants in the areas,” he said in a statement today.

He said three of the five localities in Sabah to come under EMCO are in the Tawau district, namely Kampung Blok 31; Kampung Sentosa, Blok 5, Hilltop; and Kampung Bukit Kukusan, Tanjung Batu, after screening by the MOH detected 49 positive cases in the areas involved.

He said the other two localities are in Felda Umas 4, Kalabakan and the Taman Permata Apartment in Sandakan, which recorded 10 and 12 Covid-19 cases respectively.

He said in Perak, three localities are the hostel for Eco Medi Glove factory workers involving blocks A, B, C and D in Jalan Tembaga Kuning, Mukim Taiping, where 75 Covid-19 cases have been detected, Kampung Jelapang Baru (four cases) and Kampung Sungai Tapah (11 cases) in Mukim Hulu Kinta.

He also said EMCO will be enforced in Kampung Gunung Senyum, Kuala Krau, Temerloh, Pahang after 22 Covid-19 cases were recorded from 112 screenings.

“The implementation of EMCO in all these areas is aimed at restricting movement and preventing the spread of Covid-19 from these high-risk areas. The standard operating procedure (SOP) for the EMCO is the same as previously announced,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said the EMCO imposed on the Silimpopon Mill, Silimpopon Estate in Kalabakan and Kampung Melikai, Kuala Penyu, Sabah as well as housing estates and villages around Gau, Temerloh, will end tomorrow as scheduled.

He also said 952 people were arrested for violating the SOP yesterday.

He added that of the total, 870 were issued compound notices, 81 remanded and another was released on bail. – Bernama, June 5, 2021.