Seven villages under EMCO

PETALING JAYA: Seven villages in Hulu Langat have been placed under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) due to a spike in Covid-19 cases from a tahfiz.

This is the second area to be issued with the order after residents at two villages in Simpang Renggam, Kluang, Johor were barred from leaving their homes from March 26 to April 9.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the affected villagers were from Batu 21 to 24 in Sungai Lui, Hulu Langat.

He said the move was necessary after health authorities found 71 positive cases out of 274 residents from Maahad Tahfiz An-Nabawiyyah in Batu 23, Sungai Lui.

“The EMCO will involve 3,918 residents from 700 houses, comprising two Orang Asli villages and five Malay villages. This order is effective from midnight to April 13, ” he said in a statement yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said the order would help to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 from affected areas and to enable the tracking of cases from house to house for 14 days. During the period, all residents will be confined to their homes.

“Non-residents and visitors are not allowed to enter the area throughout the duration. All business activities must be stopped and basic food will be given to the residents by the Welfare Department, ” he said, adding that a medical base would also be set up in the area.

The minister reminded all residents to remain calm and give their full cooperation to Health Ministry officials as well as to obey all orders from the authorities.

Residents can contact the special hotline at 03-8925 4809 or 03-8911 4200 for any assistance.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri said 649 people were arrested on Saturday for contravening the MCO, the highest number of detentions in a single day since it came into effect on March 18.

He said a total of 997 roadblocks were conducted and 301,938 vehicles checked. On Friday, 320 were rounded up while 162 were held on Thursday.

“So far, 70 people have pleaded guilty in courts. Police will take additional action, ” he said.

Ismail Sabri said the authorities also carried out checks on 3,223 premises and ordered non-essential services to close immediately.