Health officials checking the documents of Malaysians from Singapore at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex Sultan Iskandar Building in Johor Baru. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the state hard economically and socially, especially since the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) from March 18. For the first time, transport along the Johor Causeway has also been hampered since Singapore has also imposed its own version of MCO, known as “circuit breaker” until May 4. NELSON BENJAMIN and MOHD FARHAAN SHAH speak to Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad in an exclusive interview about the challenges and his hopes during this trying times.
Q: So far, we are into our fifth week of the MCO in the country, what is the Covid-19 situation in Johor? Are you satisfied with the implementation done by the agencies in the state so far?
A: Of course we can do better, as the non-compliance or compliance ratio during this MCO goes up and down regularly despite the various departments responsible for enforcement doing their best to ensure people stay at home. We need the cooperation of everybody to ensure we are able to stop the chain of spreading this virus. I am aware that everyone is doing their part but we cannot be complacent when dealing with this pandemic. However, I am also happy that the people within an area in Simpang Renggam, which is under the enhanced MCO, have been adhering to the advice from the authorities while their welfare is being taken care of. Another thing that needs urgent attention is for us to have more laboratories to do testing as the present four is not sufficient. Presently, we have four laboratories here doing Covid-19 testing and it takes about four to five days for the results. Ideally, we should be able to get the results within 24 hours. We are doing about 600 to 700 tests daily.
Hasni says more labs are needed urgently as the present four is not sufficient.
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