KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals who violate the prevention and control of infectious diseases regulations shall be liable to a maximum fine of RM1,000 or jail for up to six months or both.
This is in accordance with a federal gazette issued by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) today barring people from travelling to another place declared as an infected area.
The gazette states “no person shall make any journey from one place to another place within any infected local area.”
However, exceptions are made for those to serve official duty and are involved in essential services namely banking and finance, electricity and energy, water, healthcare and medical services, postal services, telecommunication, prison, e-commerce, food supply, immigration, customs, defence and security and hotel accommodation.
The regulations may be cited as the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the local Infected Areas) Regulations 2020 which have effect from March 18 to March 31, 2020.
The gazette also states that no gatherings shall take place within any infected local area whether for religious, sports, recreational, social or cultural purposes.
However, a gathering for the purpose of a funeral ceremony is allowed, provided the number of attendees are kept to the minimum.
It is also stated in the gazette that individuals must comply with the request of an authorised officer for any information relating to the prevention and control of infectious diseases regulations.
According to the gazette, any person who contravenes any provision of the Regulations commits an offence.
It states that if an offence is committed by a corporate body or a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the corporate body or acts in such capacity may be separately or jointly charged in the same proceedings as the corporate body.
“Unless, having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all circumstances he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge, consent or connivance, and that he took all reasonable precautions and had exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence,” the gazette reads.
On Monday, the government announced a 14-day movement control order to begin March 18 until 31 to curb the Covid-19 infection in the country.