Ismail Sabri: Public areas, premises in red zones to be disinfected (updated)

PUTRAJAYA: Disinfection will be done at public areas and premises as a precautionary measure against the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister said this exercise will particularly be done at public premises in areas considered as red zones.

Red zones are defined as areas that recorded more than 40 cases of Covid-19.

Ismail Sabri said this will be done by local authorities with the help of the Fire and Rescue Department.

"If need be, the Armed Forces will also be roped in for this exercise.

"We want to clean up and disinfect public areas to prevent the spreading of Covid-19 especially in red zone areas," he said on Thursday (March 26).

The Health Ministry has listed these areas as red zones – Petaling Jaya, Lembah Pantai, Hulu Langat, Johor Baru, Seremban and Titiwangsa.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said a large-scale disinfection exercise will be carried out in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan at 9am on Saturday (March 28).

He said this exercise would involve all government agencies and waste contractors using every asset and all logistical resources available to wash and spray down Covid- 19 red zones in the city.

"Areas in Lembah Pantai, Titiwangsa and its borders will be targeted such as the Seri Petaling Mosque where the tabligh convention was held," he said.

"We are going to attack the virus at public facilities like bus stops, alleys, community halls and government buildings, where there is a tendency for many people to congregate, '' he said during a press conference that was streamed live on his ministry's Facebook page on Thursday (March 26).

Titiwangsa and Lembah Pantai have been classified as red zones, with than 40 cases were recorded in those areas.

As of now, there are 276 positive cases of Covid-19 in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as well as 35 cases in Labuan.

Ismail Sabri also said that police made 110 arrests on Wednesday (March 25) alone as they "mean business and will nab those who do not comply with the movement control order".

Police also checked 163,487 vehicles and conducted surprise checks at 1,719 locations.

On another matter, Ismail said lorries carrying foodstuff will not be stopped at roadblocks.

This is to facilitate the transportation of food items to ensure shelves at grocery stores and supermarkets do not remain empty for long, he added.