MAEPS reactivated to treat low-risk COVID-19 cases

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision to reopen MAEPS was made following the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases and the implementation of the screening programme for foreign workers by the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).

MAEPS was first opened as PKRC on April 16 and closed on July 15.

"The centre will only receive foreign COVID-19 patients who fall in category one (not symptomatic) and category two (slightly symptomatic).

"The activation will also involve the transfer process of foreign COVID-19 patients from the Sungai Buloh Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM) to MAEPS," he told a press conference here yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said the PKRC had treated 1,362 COVID-19 patients, comprising foreigners (86 per cent) as well as locals (14 per cent).

Previously, the centre only has 614 beds, but currently MAEPS has approximately 10,000 beds ready to be utilised based on three phases, namely phase one (3,000 beds), phase two (3,300) and phase three (3,700), he said.

He added that safety precautions would be enforced by the police and Malaysian Armed Forces.