Covid-19: Two more in isolation after being in close contact with Tok Pa during Cabinet meeting

PETALING JAYA: Only two ministers from the Cabinet meeting on Jan 6 have been informed that they were in close contact with Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday (Jan 9).

At the Cabinet meeting, all ministers were seated while practising physical distancing and having shields in between, and only those who sat next to either side of Mustapa, were considered close contacts.

"Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was seated about seven chairs away - an approximate of seven metres - from Mustapa," said one minister, who attended the meeting but was not identified as a close contact.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, who sat beside Mustapa during the Cabinet meeting, confirmed with The Star that they have both been identified as close contacts and are now in isolation as a precautionary measure.

Redzuan and Saifuddin, who said they have not experienced any symptoms, are now under the house surveillance order (HSO) before they undergo their swab tests.

Two other ministers, including a senior minister, were already under HSO prior to the Cabinet meeting due to their aides having been identified Covid positive.

The duo did not attend the Cabinet meeting on Jan 6.