M'sians in centres can continue quarantine from home beginning Wednesday (June 10)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians in quarantine centres can continue their quarantine at home when the less restrictive recovery movement control order (MCO) starts on Wednesday (June 10).

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said even if Malaysians have just a few days to complete their quarantine at the centres as the conditional MCO period ends on June 9, they will be allowed to spend those remaining days at home, provided they download the MySejahtera application.

"They cannot undergo home quarantine just yet, because the new rules for the recovery MCO under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 will only take effect on June 10," he said.

He said that Malaysians should download the MySejahtera app, as it could help the Health Ministry quickly locate close contacts and take action in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak, adding RM50 would be credited to a person's eWallet once the application is downloaded.

Ismail Sabri added the government will also continue to conduct public sanitisation work during the recovery MCO to curb the spread of Covid-19.

He also said that Malaysians working in Singapore can start travelling and resume work there once both governments have reached a resolution on the matter, as Singapore's circuit breaker measures ended on June 1.

"Discussions are now being held and Malaysians can start travelling back and forth again once the terms have been outlined, especially those living in Johor," he said.

He said Malaysia is prepared to agree to Malaysians undergoing Covid-19 screenings before resuming work in Singapore if that is among the conditions and thanked Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim, the Temasek group and the Thompson Medical Group in Singapore for their offer to contribute test kits and two mobile Covid-19 test laboratories.

He also recommended those working in Singapore to download the MySejahtera App.

Separately, Ismail Sabri hopes Penang would enforce the new rules of the recovery MCO under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, as it mulls its implementation.

"It cannot refer to any other law and making their own rules can be considered void under the Federal Constitution," he said.

He said even if states choose not to enforce the recovery MCO, federal authorities such as the police can take action if they find anyone flouting the rules, as federal law can be enforced at the state level.

Earlier, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government will hold a state security council committee meeting before implementing the recovery MCO.