EMCO at Alor Setar Prison extended for two weeks - Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR: The period of the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at Alor Setar Prison has been extended for another two weeks, starting tomorrow until November 1.

Senior Minister (Defence Cluster), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the implementation of EMCO aims to curb the infection and transmission of COVID-19 in the area.

"Besides that, this EMCO will enable targeted case tracking activities to be carried out.

"As of October 17, there are 1,178 positive COVID-19 cases involving 1,137 detainees and 41 prison staff recorded," he said in a daily press conference on the development of COVID-19, today.

In a related development, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has arrested 661 individuals for violating the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), double that of yesterday and Friday.

Of that number, a total of 632 individuals were compounded and 27 people remanded.

"Among the offences are not wearing a half-face mask, which is 223 people, failing to maintain physical distancing (191) and failing to provide equipment to record personal details (112)," he added.

Ismail said the government was also focusing on security at the Sarawak border under Ops Benteng covering land and waters to curb the entry of illegal immigrants (PATI).

"However, control by security personnel alone is not enough without the role of the local community to also help to ensure our country is safe," he said.