EMCO in sub-districts, localities in Labuan, Pahang and Sabah.

By: Haseena Syazlin

Several sub-districts and localities in Labuan, Pahang and Sabah will be placed under the EMCO following a surge in COVID-19 cases. | Photo from: Google

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 MAY 2021: Following an increase in COVID-19 cases in the areas, several sub-districts and localities in Labuan, Pahang, and Sabah will be placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Senior Minister (Security Cluster), stated that the EMCO in Labuan will encompass five sub-zones and will be in effect from May 26 to June 24.

The sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Labuan is a result of an increase in cases across all Malaysian states, and all the five sub-zones have now been classified as orange or red zones.

"The Ministry of Health (MOH) also confirmed that the infectivity rate in Labuan on May 23 was 2.55, which is more than 2.00, which also indicates infections could likely occur on a larger scale. The EMCO is to control the movement of people in all areas further curb the spread of COVID-19 infection to other communities," Ismail Sabri said in a statement today.

He stated that the EMCO in Pahang, which will be enforced from May 26 to June 8, will affect three sub-districts, namely Kuala Lipis, Penjom, and Budu in the Lipis district.

To date, Budu has recorded 51 positive cases, Kuala Lipis (24) and Penjom (57), bringing the total to 132 cases in a 24-day period beginning May 1.

In Sabah, Taman Seri Ketiau and Taman Desa Seri Ketiau, Ladang FELDA Global Ventures (FGV) Kalabakan Selatan in Kalabakan, and Kampung Sungai Imam in Tawau will be put under EMCO from May 26 to June 8.

According to Ismail Sabri, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had discovered 47 cases in those regions.

Ismail Sabri also announced that the EMCO in Felda Kahang Timur, Kluang, Johor, has been extended until June 8 after 140 people there were tested positive for COVID-19, and infections are still being reported in the area.

Meanwhile, he stated that the EMCO in Felda Umas, Kalabakan, Sabah, and Kampung Bako Hilir, Kuching, Sarawak will end tomorrow as scheduled.

On the other hand, Ismail Sabri also reported that 800 individuals were detained yesterday for breaching the MCO standard operating procedures (SOPs).