CMCO throughout Sabah following spike in COVID-19 cases

PUTRAJAYA:The government has decided to implement the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) throughout Sabah, following the increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the state.

Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the implementation will start at midnight tonight until October 26.

"Previously, several districts in Sabah have been subjected to CMCO, namely in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak, Semporna, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan, besides several other localities have been subjected to the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).

"Besides that, cross-district control throughout Sabah has also been enforced since October 3.

"After getting advice from the MOH and taking into account the increase in cases and contagions that occurred, the MKN special meeting today agreed to implement CMCO throughout Sabah effective at 12.01 midnight tonight," he said in a press conference today.

On the CMCO standard operating procedure (SOP) in Sabah, Ismail Sabri said movement in and out of the district is prohibited.

"However, for employees who need to cross the district, they need to show a work pass or a letter of permission from the employer.

"For those who want to go out and buy necessities, only two people are allowed from a house," he added.

Ismail Sabri said all schools, institutions of higher learning, skills training institutes, kindergartens, nurseries, tahfiz centres, public parks, recreation centres, mosques and houses of worship, as well as entertainment centres should be closed.

In the meantime, Ismail Sabri said, however the activities of the economic, industrial and business sectors are allowed to operate as usual but must comply with the strict SOPs that have been and will be issued by the MKN.

He said the government had set operating hours from 6 am to 2 pm for the wholesale market and daily market, 6 am to 6 pm for essential goods and grocery stores, restaurants, stalls, convenience stores, pharmacies and petrol stations.

Ismail Sabri said taxi and e-hailing services, as well as food delivery services are allowed to operate from 6 am to 8 pm only while clinic and hospital operations are allowed 24 hours.

In addition, he said the fisheries, plantation and agriculture sectors are allowed.

For business and manufacturing sectors including small and medium industries (SMEs) that want to operate, they can apply for permission from the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee.