Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari . - KK SHAM/The Star filepic
KLANG: Only "truly essential" economic services should remain open in Selangor due to the high number of Covid-19 cases in the state, says Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Mentri Besar said other economic activities in Selangor in areas under enhanced movement control order (EMCO) must remain closed until the order is lifted.
"The state government sees that the goal of the EMCO – which is to break the chain of infection and decrease the burden on the healthcare system has not been achieved yet," said Amiruddin.
"In view of this, the state government suggested to the National Security Council (NSC) that only economic sectors that are truly needed are open," he added.
He added the state government also suggested that the vaccination of the workforce be expedited and the number of vaccinations administered used as a factor when determining if the economic sector should be reopened.
Amirudin also said the high number of Covid-19 cases in Selangor was due to screenings conducted in EMCO areas as well as close contact tracing.
This comes after almost all of Selangor was placed under EMCO from July 3-16.
Initially, only industries related to food, banking, utilities, healthcare, transportation and e-commerce as well as factories manufacturing foodstuff, healthcare items and bottled water, among others, were allowed to operate during the EMCO.
A few days after the start of the EMCO, the International Trade and Industry Ministry gave the green light for other sectors such as the electronics, electrical, aerospace, machinery as well as various food and beverage companies to also operate under certain conditions, such as regularly screening their workers for Covid-19.
