KUALA LUMPUR:The National Security Council (MKN) will impose the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at the Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM) in Johor Bahru from tomorrow (Nov 3) until Nov 16.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the implementation of EMCO in the locality is to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection.

He said that thus far, a total of 1,515 COVID-19 screenings had been carried out and 46 individuals tested positive for COVID-19.

“This EMCO will involve 1,559 individuals consisting of ILKKM trainees, staff as well as family members and support workers.

“With this implementation of EMCO, all those involved are required to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and movements in and out of ILKKM is prohibited,” he said at a press conference on the development of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) here today.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said that the EMCO in the Kepayan Prison and Taman Mat Salleh Prison Quarters, Kampung Matambai in Sabah, which started on Oct 20 and was scheduled to end today, has been extended for another 14 days until Nov 16.

“As at Nov 1, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases involving the locality is 1,671 while the number of individuals screened is 3,509 including inmates, prison officers, staff and their family members,” he said.

He said the MKN also agreed to end the EMCO in Kampung Saguking Laut and Kampung Sebor Baru in Labuan, Sabah tomorrow as the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the areas has been on a decline and is under control.

However, he said the two localities are still subject to the implementation of the Labuan Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which is currently in force.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said that the MKN has agreed to amend the SOPs in several localities in Sabah following constraints for residents in the EMCO areas in withdrawing money and getting basic necessities such as baby formula, disposable baby diapers and other daily essentials as well as medicines, which are not available at grocery stores in the area.

He said that among the amendments is to allow one representative from each household from the EMCO areas to go out for said purposes.

“The market is allowed to operate in the EMCO areas twice a week from 6 am to 2 pm,” he said, adding that the amendment did not apply in the prisons and temporary detention centres in Sabah.

On the Compliance Operation Task Force, Ismail Sabri said that a total of 538 individuals were arrested for disobeying the MCO's directives yesterday, and out of that number, a total of 531 individuals were issued with compounds while seven others were remanded.

Among the offences of flouting the MCO were not wearing face mask (136), failing to provide equipment and recording personal details (80), physical distancing (82), premises operating beyond permitted hours (17), activities at entertainment centres (78) and others (145), he said.

On the operations under ‘Benteng Ops’ to control the country’s borders from being encroached by illegal immigrants as well as curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that four foreigners and one skipper were detained while one boat and eight vehicles were seized yesterday.

He said a total of 300 roadblocks were also mounted yesterday.

He added that from July 24 until yesterday, 59,629 individuals returned home through international border entry points and are housed at 63 hotels and 19 other premises including the Public Training Institutes (ILAs) and private educational institutions nationwide.

“Of that number, a total of 10,111 individuals are undergoing mandatory quarantine while 381 individuals have been sent to hospital for treatment. A total of 49,137 individuals have been discharged and allowed to return,” he said.

-- BERNAMA