COVID-19 | The National Security Council (NSC) has agreed to amend regulations for areas under the enhanced movement control order (MCO) in Sabah, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said although sundry shops in enhanced MCO areas are allowed to operate, residents in the area still face problems in withdrawing cash and obtaining basic necessities that are not found in their locality.

Under the new rules, Ismail said a representative from each household may leave the enhanced MCO area with permission from the police.

This is specifically to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs or to purchase basic necessities such as milk, disposable diapers, detergent, medicine, and so on.

In addition, markets are allowed to operate in enhance MCO areas twice a week from 6am to 2pm.

“However, this amendment is not applicable to prisons and temporary detention centres in Sabah,” he said today, adding that the decision was reached following advice from the Health Ministry.

Previously, it was reported that about 50 residents at the Taman Semarak enhanced MCO area in Tawau held a demonstration on Oct 29 over the lack of access to food and supplies. 

The area with 4,000 households is under enhanced MCO from Oct 26 to Nov 8 following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

In response to the protest, the government expanded the Taman Semarak enhanced MCO area to include one row of shops and introduced new rules on goods delivery and food vendors.

However, Taman Semarak is only one of many places in Sabah under enhanced MCO.

Meanwhile, Ismail announced that the Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM) in Johor Bahru will be placed under enhanced MCO.

Thus far, he said 46 people have tested positive for Covid-19 out of 1,515 people tested.

“Upon advice from the Health Ministry to stem the spread of Covid-19 in the locality, the (NSC) special meeting today has agreed to implement an enhanced MCO at the ILKKM in Johor Bahru from Nov 3 to Nov 16.

“The enhanced MCO involves 1,559 people including ILKKM trainees, staff and family members, and support staff,” he said.

Ismail said the NSC has also agreed to extend the enhanced MCO at the Kepayan Prison in Kota Kinabalu, including its staff quarters at Taman Mat Salleh, Kg Matambai.

The enhanced MCO there started from Oct 20 and was slated to end at midnight tonight, but was extended for another 14 days instead, to Nov 16.

There are 1,671 confirmed Covid-19 cases detected in the area out of 3,509 people tested, he said, including prisoners, officers, staff, and their family members.

Meanwhile, the enhanced MCO for Kg Saguking Laut and Kg Sebor Baru in Labuan will end at midnight tonight, as scheduled.

Ismail said the Health Ministry has found that the number of Covid-19 cases in the area has dropped and is now under control.

“However, both localities are still subject to the conditional MCO that is still in force in Labuan,” he added.

Source : From https://www.malaysiakini.com

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 2  — An officer from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) died due to COVID-19 at the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, here, this morning.

State Fire and Rescue Department director, Kamarulzaman Malik Abdullah said JBPM state headquarters Fire and Rescue Operations Branch head Alias Abu, 56, died here, at 9.15 am today.

Kamarulzaman said the deceased was one of the 15 Sabah firefighters who tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing a screening test on Oct 16, and was understood to have heart problems and asthma.

“His remains were buried at the Kampung Kuala Papar Cemetery this afternoon. He was the first  firefighter in Sabah to die of COVID-19. This is a big loss for JBPM Sabah.

“He was a very dedicated officer, responsible and highly disciplined in carrying out his duties, besides being very patient and committed where work was concerned.

“We feel the loss because the deceased was a friendly person, very calm and does not easily panic when there is an emergency. Moreover, he served in the operations department which is the ‘heart’ or the main task of the fire department,” he said.

Kamarulzaman on behalf of JBPM Sabah expressed his condolences to the family of the late Alias Abu, and prayed for strength to help them persevere through this difficult time.

Meanwhile, Kamarulzaman said, a total of 400 officers and firefighters in Sabah have undergone the COVID-19 screening test from Oct 13-23.

Other firefighters who have been confirmed positive for COVID-19, are still undergoing treatment at the quarantine centre provided and some have already recovered.

— BERNAMA

Source : From https://www.malaysiakini.com

GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

– Dewan Negara, Parliament, Kuala Lumpur

Several Dewan Negara staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.

As a result, today’s Dewan Rakyat proceedings will be shortened to 1pm while new rules will be set for the upcoming days.

De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan says regular hours will be observed in the upcoming days.

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BUSINESSES

– Wisma Seberkas, Kuching, Sarawak

The building is closed from today until Nov 16, due to a Covid-19 case detected among workers there.

A closure notice by the Health Ministry was sighted at the building’s entrance this morning.

Meanwhile, retailer PC Image confirmed the Covid-19 case at Wisma Seberkas but said its workers are not infected. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpcimagewss%2Fposts%2F2720421664952405&show_text=true&width=552&height=205&appId

– Maybank Matang Jaya branch, Kuching, Sarawak

The branch is closed temporarily for sanitation after an employee was established to have had close contact with an individual who tested positive for Covid-19.

The close contact did not happen at the bank’s premises, the branch said in a notice.

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EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

– St Joseph’s International School, Kuching

In a circular to parents yesterday, the school confirmed that a student had tested positive for Covid-19.

The school was informed of this by the student’s parent. The student was a close contact of the parent.

The authorities have been informed and contact tracing efforts are now underway. The school is expected to be closed for sanitisation between Nov 1 and 7.

During this time, the venue for the ongoing International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGSCE) and A-Level examinations will be moved to St Joseph’s Private Secondary School.

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OFFICES

– UITM Holdings, Dataran PHB, Shah Alam, Selangor

A Covid-19 case was reported at UITM Holdings, located at Level 9 of Block A of this building, the management said in a notice to tenants yesterday.

The block is closed today for disinfection of common areas, while UITM Holdings has been instructed to disinfect its units.

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RESIDENCES

– Pearl Avenue Condominium, Kajang, Selangor

A resident who has access to blocks A and B of this complex has tested positive for Covid-19 on Oct 29.

The resident has been sent to Sungai Buloh Hospital for isolation and treatment, while the resident’s family is in home quarantine.

All common areas have been disinfected, the management said in a notice.

– Shang Villa Condominium, SS7, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

A Covid-19 case has been detected here, the management said in a notice on Oct 30.

Blocks A and B have been sanitised.

All management staff have undergone Covid-19 screening while the annual general meeting scheduled on Sunday was delayed until further notice.

Source : From https://www.malaysiakini.com