Rules on home surveillance must be strictly observed, failure can lead to being jailed or fined, says Health DG

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has issued a stern warning that Covid-19 persons under surveillance (PUS) to strictly abide by the Home Surveillance Order (HSO) rules, which includes undergoing testing at clinics on the 13th day.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 5,909 PUS were discharged from quarantine centres on June 10 and put under HSO, in order to complete 14 days of quarantine.

However, out of that total, only 4,427 individuals were recorded to have undergone Covid-19 testing at government or private clinics on the 13th day. Of that number, three positive cases were detected.

“Therefore, a total of 1,472 individuals are still required to undergo Covid-19 testing on day 13.

“All individuals returning from overseas, including Malaysians, permanent residents and those who are allowed to enter for work, are required to undergo compulsory home quarantine at their homes for 14 days as stated in the Guideline for Home Monitoring and Surveillance Order (Annex 14b).

“The government views very seriously compliance to this Home Monitoring and Surveillance Order.

“Failure to comply with this order is an offence under Section 22 of Act 342.

“The district health office and other related agencies involved have been authorised to trace and take action against individuals found to be in violation of the terms of this order.

"They can be fined or imprisoned or both, ” said Dr Noor Hisham at the ministry’s Covid-19 press conference here Monday (June 29).

Dr Noor Hisham said family members of individuals placed under the HSO must also play their role in advising and ensuring the individuals do not violate any directives that could result in legal action.

“The cooperation of all parties is important to enable us to jointly break the Covid-19 infection transmission chain in Malaysia, ” he said.