Strictly no travelling out

A barbed wire barricade placed along a stretch in Pekan Bayan Lepas. – ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

RESIDENTS living in the 13 localities in Bayan Lepas under the enhanced movement control order (MCO) have been told to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP).

Balik Pulau OCPD Supt A. Anbalagan said no one should go out, or come in to the restricted area.

“There are still people who think they could go to work since they have a travel permit from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Miti).

Police and army personnel manning a roadblock in Sungai Ara to restrict movement of people near the enhanced MCO area in Bayan Lepas, Penang.

“The Miti letters are for those who are outside the enhanced MCO zone. Those living in enhanced MCO, you are not supposed to travel at all, even if you are providing essential services, ” he told reporters near the Sri Bayu Apartment in Bayan Lepas yesterday.

Only one family member is only allowed to come out from the house to buy household essentials during the period.

“People sometimes give the flimsiest of reasons to come out, but we will not allow anyone to move unless it is absolutely necessary.

“There are cases of people who need cash and since there is no bank or ATM within the enhanced MCO zone, they have requested permission to go to a bank.

All is relatively quiet with few traffic on the road at the Pekan Bayan Lepas following the enforcement of the enhanced MCO.

“We are looking at it on a case-to-case basis. They will be allowed to go out only as a last resort, ” he said.

Even the police are not allowed inside the zone as all roadblocks and barbed wires are manned by personnel from outside the zone.

On claims that people working in nearby factories in Bayan Lepas were moved out on Wednesday and Thursday,

Supt Anbalagan said police did not receive any such report.

Police personnel questioning a motorcyclist at a police roadblock set up near Sri Bayu in Bayan Lepas.

He added that the Village and Community Management Council (MPKK) would be there to assist the Health Ministry and Civil Defence Force personnel.

“The Health Ministry will set up a temporary clinic next Tuesday in the area for the convenience of the residents.”

Meanwhile, Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz said loading and unloading of food stuff were allowed in the red zone area to supply items for the residents.

Army personnel monitoring the situation at Pekan Bayan Lepas.

“Those bringing supplies from the wet market or mini markets need to get the necessary approvals and must ensure that the workers have undergone Covid-19 swab tests, ” he said.

The enhanced MCO is being implemented in Sri Bayu, Bayu Tiara, Bayu Nyaman, Halaman Murni, Bayan Permai, Bayan Tiara, Taman Ara Indah, Kampung Bukit, Kampung

Perlis, Kampung Masjid, Jalan Mahkamah, Kampung Pak Lah and Lebuh Kampung Bukit.

Barbed wire along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah near Pekan Bayan Lepas area preventing traffic from crossing into the area under enhanced MCO.

The decision for the enhanced MCO in the localities was taken after health authorities recorded 83 new cases within two weeks with a total number of positive cases exceeding 250.

The enhanced MCO remains in effect until June 17.