Action will be taken against 255 individuals who refuse to undergo the second Covid-19 screening test on their 13th day of quarantine at home, said Defence Minister Datul Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He added that the Ministry of Health and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) are monitoring these individuals and are tracking their location. They have also been urged to come to a nearby District Health Office to undergo their second screening test, reported Bernama.
“Maybe they are unaware that on day 13 they need to go to the nearest clinic to get the second screening test. I urge those who have yet to get themselves tested to do so,” he said.
“The police and Health Ministry are monitoring them and the authorities know their whereabouts.”
“If they still disobey the order, the police will search for them. They can be compounded for RM1,000, jailed for a maximum of two years or both. Do not wait till you are caught and taken to court,” he said in a press conference.
A medical worker takes a swab at a Covid-19 drive-through screening area at KPJ Ampang Puteri April 9, 2020. — Picture by Hari Anggara
Ismail Sabri said the government takes it seriously when there is failure to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP), such as what happened in Malacca when an infected individual did not confine himself in a room during his home quarantine and transmitted the virus to his father.
Meanwhile, he said a total of 17,689 people had returned to the country through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from 10 June 10 to 13 July.
“Of that number, a total of 17,616 individuals have been ordered to undergo quarantine at home and another 73 have been taken to hospital,” he said.
“On July 13, 2020, a total of 536 Malaysians returned home via KLIA and KLIA2 from Pakistan, Indonesia, Qatar, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Vietnam, the Netherlands, India and China.”
He said Malaysians who wanted to return from abroad had to undergo a Covid-19 screening test three days before their departure date.
Ismail Sabri also added that in an exclusive meeting with the Ministers, they decided not to allow expatriates to leave Malaysia for a holiday.
“If they are found to be violating this rule, they will not be allowed to return to Malaysia until a set date,” he said.
Also read: Borders Between Malaysia & Singapore To Reopen On 10 August
