Ipoh sub-district under CMCO from tomorrow - Ismail Sabri

He said that the decision was made on the advice and risk assessment of the area made by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

“MOH today reported an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the Ipoh sub-district.

“To date, MOH has confirmed that there are 106 positive cases of COVID-19 reported scattered in the Ipoh sub-district, and of the total, 89 cases are from local infections recorded within 14 days,” he said in a statement on the implementation of the Recovery Movement Movement Control Order (RMCO) today.

He said that MOH also confirmed that there were clusters still active involving factory areas concentrated in several industrial areas in the sub-district, which were at risk for the spread of COVID-19 infection.

He said the implementation of CMCO was to enable the MOH to carry out targeted screening and to reduce movement among the community in the area.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at the Westlite workers’ dormitories, Tampoi Jaya Industrial Park, Johor Bahru was extended from Jan 9 to 22.

“The government previously implemented EMCO in Westlite workers’ dormitories which is scheduled to end on Jan 8, but on the advice and risk assessment by MOH, the government has agreed to extend it,” he said.

He said that thus far, the MOH had carried out 1,303 screening tests and out of that number, 555 positive COVID-19 cases were recorded. MOH also confirmed that the COVID-19 infection rate among the occupants in the dormitories was still high.

In the meantime, he said a total of 194 individuals were arrested and issued with compounds yesterday for flouting the MCO directives.

Among offences recorded include not wearing face masks (84), failing to provide equipment to record customer details (74), failing to comply with physical distancing (25) and others (11).

He said yesterday also saw 49 illegal immigrants and two skippers detained as well as seven land vehicles seized in Op Benteng.

“The government will take stern action against any party who tries to enter the country’s borders illegally and enforcement agencies will continue to tighten controls at the borders, especially in rat trails,” he said.