RMCO: Country's borders need to be tightened

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has reiterated its stance that national borders need to be tightened to ensure that Malaysia could control the spread of COVID-19.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdulllah said his ministry was closely monitoring the development of COVID-19 globally and in countries with increasing cases.

Thus, he said, the government's actions beginning with the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) were the right steps to curb the infection of the deadly virus.

"What is important for Malaysia is that we tighten our borders from time to time.

"Although Malaysia is currently in the Recovery MCO phase, we are still tightening border controls.

"So, if we do that, we are able to ensure that Malaysians returning from overseas, we will quarantine, isolate and conduct screening tests on them.

"To make sure there is no infection from abroad coming into Malaysia, that's what we've been doing so far," he said at a press conference here on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said two different approaches were taken by Malaysia in dealing with the virus.

"There are two things we did differently compared to other countries.

"First, we identify those who are positive, whether they have symptoms or no symptoms, we will be isolate and treat them in the hospital.

"Secondly, Malaysians returning from overseas will be quarantined," he said.