In a live interview on a TV1’s Bicara Naratif today at 9pm, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob answered questions about SOPs clarification regarding areas currently enforcing MCO, RMCO, CMCO and EMCO.
Among many questions, he was asked about the recent COVID-19 cluster that occured in Genting Highlands and how this may affect future interstate travel rules if another similar case were to happen sometime in the near future.
“We’ve been seeing clusters of confirmed cases popping up in different areas, there was the cluster in Bentang, Penjara and Tembok,” he said.
“Then clusters started popping up among foreign workers, especially from factories and construction sites. But to answer your question, if another cluster case suddenly reappears, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will decide what to do.”
He then explained that cases within these clusters are expected to continue increasing, with no signs of stopping any time soon, as, among the 1.7 million people they have tested in eight different states, there has been a total of 880,000 confirmed cases.
Despite this expected continuous increase in cases among foreign workers, the Defence Minister said that they’re more concerned with COVID cases popping up among local communities.
“We’re more concerned about cases spreading in the community. That’s why we’re focused on ensuring that the disease does not spread outside of the clusters,” he explained.
“Because if anything happens, we will know where they are and how to contact them.”
On 4 December, a Genting Highland cluster was recorded with over 340 confirmed cases after a foreign worker crossed borders from Klang Valley to Genting Highlands to visit his friends.
Also read: Christmas SOPs: Celebrations And House Visits Only Allowed On 25 December
