HIDE-Listed Premises Ordered To Close Immediately; Bazaars In MCO Areas To Cease Starting Monday

 

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yakoob earlier announced that all premises including Ramadhan bazaars that are listed under the Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system will be ordered to close for three days, effective immediately.  The system’s list of high-risk locations, which serves as an preventive measure to prevent further spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, was released to the public earlier today via various sources, including the National Security Council’s (MKN) Telegram channel and the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Twitter account.

Enforcement activities for all premises will be monitored by police, armed forces, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry as well as local authorities, he added. The minister also revealed that all Ramadhan and Aidilfitri bazaars in areas under the Movement Control Order (MCO) will be closed from Monday.

In addition, Ismail Sabri noted that individual sport and recreational activities, as well as non-contact sports with compliance to physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres in open spaces are still allowed for health purposes. “At the moment, the government is studying the standard operating procedures (SOP) and if the daily cases continue to rise, the government will obtain the advice as well as risk assessment of the Health Ministry to enable the SOP to be tightened,” he said.

As a quick recap, locations listed under MCO includes the entire state of Kelantan, the areas of Gali and Tras in Pahang, the areas of Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang in Selangor, and also Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, the locations under CMCO currently includes the areas of Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor in the state of Selangor, Raub in Pahang, and the entire states of Penang, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah. Those under RMCO are the other areas within the state of Pahang, and the entire states of Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, as well as the federal territories of Putrajaya and Labuan.

Possibility of MCO on Monday

The Prime Minister will announce the country's next measures to be taken to curb the steep rise in Covid-19 infections, including the possibility of a movement control order (MCO), on Monday (Jan 11), says Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"The government is always monitoring the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic and will discuss the best measures to stop its spread.

"A special meeting of the National Security Council is reviewing and assessing all the measures to be taken immediately to control the spread of Covid-19.

"This includes considering imposing tighter standard operating procedures, including in the social sector, to reduce movement and risk of Covid-19.

"An announcement will be made by the Prime Minister soon to announce the action that will be taken," he said in a press conference on Friday (Jan 8).

He also said he was aware of viral messages speculating he would be announcing enhanced standard operating procedures (SOP) on Friday.

"The government always hears the grouses of the rakyat and we will take the necessary action," he said.

On the Health Ministry saying that daily Covid-19 cases could reach 8,000, Ismail Sabri said this would only happen if no action is taken.

"As I said, we have discussed the measures to be taken.

Ismail Sabri said a technical meeting would also be held on Monday morning to scrutinise everything discussed.

"I stress again that the Prime Minister will make the announcement on Monday," he added.