No report of Omicron variant in Kota Setar

ALOR SETAR: Kedah Health Department denied rumours that there is an Covid-19 Omicron variant case in the Kota Setar district involving an umrah pilgrim who returned from Saudi Arabia recently.

It's director Dr Othman Warijo, however stressed that the public is still advised to postpone visiting relatives or friends who just returned from the country.

"My advice is in line with the call made by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Those who just returned from umrah pilgrimage and allowed to undergo home quarantine must comply with the Health Ministry's orders… that is they shouldn't be receiving visitors during the quarantine period.

"Although we have yet to record any Omicron variant case in the Kota Setar district, the public should observe the standard operating procedures set by the government," he said when contacted today.

Dr Othman was responding to a message circulating in social media over an alleged Omicron variant case involving an individual who returned from umrah recently.

On Saturday, Khairy announced that beginning next week, all travellers who returned from Saudi Arabia will be required to wear a digital tracker to ensure they comply with the home quarantine standard operating procedures (SOP).

He added that from the total 49 Omicron variant cases reported in this country, 30 of them involved travellers who returned from umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

He said most of them allowed to undergo home quarantine, were found to have breached the order with some even receiving visitors during their quarantine period.