UTM campus in Skudai under EMCO from Friday.

By: Haseena Syazlin

UTM Skudai under EMCO from May 21 until June 3 - Ismail Sabri | Photo from: Google

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 MAY 2021: Following an increase in COVID-19 cases, the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) campus in Skudai, Johor, will be placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) starting Friday (May 21).

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Senior Minister (Security Cluster), stated that 49 positive cases were discovered in the area after screening 346 residents of several student hostels there.

This included Kolej Datin Seri Endon, Kolej Tun Hussein Onn, Kolej Tun Dr Ismail, Kolej 9 and 10, as well as those at the health centre.

“After conducting a risk assessment, it was agreed that the area will be put under the EMCO from May 21 until June 3,” Ismail Sabri said in a statement on today.

A 14.2 percent positivity rate was also reported in the area, and positive cases were reported to have spread to several other residential colleges.

The EMCO is being implemented to allow for the early detection of COVID-19 positive cases and to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the EMCO in Kampung Permatang Tulang Mukim Sebatu, Jasin, Melaka; Kampung Lubok Katak, Tapah, Perak; and Sekolah Menengan Kebangsaan Madai, Kunak, Sabah will all end tomorrow.

The order was lifted after the remaining active cases in the localities showed a declining trend.

The EMCO at Kampung Permatang Tulang and Kampung Lubok Katak will end as scheduled on Thursday (May 20).

The EMCO in SMK Madai will also end tomorrow, a week earlier than the scheduled date, May 28.

On the other hand, Ismail Sabri announced that a total of 513 individuals were arrested for violating the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Movement Control Order (MCO) yesterday.

He stated that 484 of those were issued with compound notices, while 29 were remanded.

Among the offences recorded were not wearing face masks involving 185 individuals, failing to record personal details or registration at premises (105), failing to observe physical distancing (79), non-compliance with movement control instructions (57), involving in gambling activities (12), engaging in activities at entertainment outlets (five), interstate or interdistrict travel without permission (five) and other offences (65).