KUALA LUMPUR: Patients who need to travel for doctor's appointments and scheduled treatments no longer have to obtain a police permit to do so, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
He said patients only need to show their appointment cards when going through police roadblocks.
"Recently, the government received complaints from the public on the need to obtain police permission letters for appointments or treatments at hospitals and clinics.
"This has made it difficult for them especially patients who need scheduled treatments such as for cancer and kidney disease.
"For patients who have doctor's appointments and scheduled treatments, it is enough to simply display the appointment card," he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said failure to check-in before entering premises continues to outnumber other Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) violations.
A total of 214 people were arrested after they failed to check-in yesterday, 16 for participating in activities at entertainment centres, 84 did not wear face masks, 52 failed to observe physical distancing and the remaining 127 were arrested for other violations.
Of the 493 people arrested for SOP violations yesterday, Ismail Sabri said 480 were fined while 13 others were remanded.
"This shows that there are still among us who are taking the Covid-19 situation lightly although the virus is already in our community.
"Failure to adhere to the SOP will not only make it difficult for the authorities to detect a case but it will also cause problems to others.
"For example, if there is a spread of cases, it is difficult for the authorities to trace who has close contact and so on."
Regarding updates on Malaysia's border control, Ismail Sabri said 47 illegal immigrants were nabbed yesterday while five land vehicles were also seized.