KUALA LUMPUR: Song and Kapit districts in Sarawak have been placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) for 14 days from Feb 2 until Feb 15, following a surge in Covid-19 cases.
The move follows the detection of 93 positive cases in Song, which was previously a green zone, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"A surge was also recorded in the Kapit district, where the cases went up to 31 from zero.
"Both of these districts have shown a sharp increase in cases within the last 14 days, and have a high rate of infection," he said in a statement today.
Ismail Sabri said the EMCO is being implemented based on advice from the Health Ministry.
He said the standard operating procedures (SOP) at both districts are the same as before, except that shops and business are now only allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm, unlike in areas under the MCO, where businesses can operate until 10pm.
Earlier this month, the whole nation, with the exception of Sarawak, was placed under the MCO until Feb 3.
Ismail Sabri added that the government has also decided to impose the EMCO on the Simpang Renggam Prison and Staff Quarters in Kluang, Johor, due to a spike in new Covid-19 cases.
He said on Jan 29, health officials carried out 198 tests on inmates and prison staff, and 108 turned out to be positive.
"100 detainees, six prison staff and two of their close contacts tested positive. On the Health Ministry's advice, the government has decided to enforce the EMCO at the facility from tomorrow until Feb 14.
"The SOPs of the EMCO remain the same and family members of detainees are also temporarily restricted from visiting," he said.