Tested negative thrice, Hishammuddin given exception from compulsory quarantine

KUALA LUMPUR:Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has been released from compulsory quarantine at his home after all three COVID-19 screening tests that he had undergone were found negative.

In a post on his Facebook, the Sembrong Member of Parliament said he had undergone tests on September 22 and 28, and October 4, 2020.

Before this, he added, he had been instructed to undergo compulsory quarantine after being identified as one of the close contacts with Pitas State Assembly candidate in the Sabah State Election, Sufian Abdul Karim who was previously found positive for COVID-19.

“Following the three screening tests that showed this negative result, KKM (Ministry of Health Malaysia) through the Petaling District Health Office has issued a letter confirming that the results of the tests conducted by them, found my health status satisfactory.

"At the same time, I have been granted ‘Exemption From Undergoing Surveillance And Observation Orders In Residential Homes For Immediate Contact Infection (COVID-19) under Section 15 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342)’ starting from today, Monday, October 5, 2020,” he added.

With the confirmation, Hishammuddin said he will return to carry out duties at his office in Wisma Putra, Putrajaya from tomorrow, Tuesday 6 October 2020.

Earlier, some media reported that one of the ministers had tested positive for COVID-19.

In addition, the media reported that following the result, all Cabinet members were instructed to undergo screening tests as a precaution.