Govt Places Entire KL Condominium Under Lockdown After Detecting 17 COVID-19 Cases
The 3,200 apartment residents will not be allowed to leave the building for 14 days.
By May Vin Ang — 31 Mar 2020, 10:46 AM
Authorities have ordered a lockdown of Menara City One in Kuala Lumpur after confirming 17 COVID-19 cases originated from the condominium
According to Free Malaysia Today, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the building, located at Jalan Munshi Abdullah, will come under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) for the next two weeks.
"The purpose of the EMCO is to contain the COVID-19 virus from spreading," he explained.
"This measure will allow case-tracing exercises to be conducted from unit to unit throughout the 14 days."
The EMCO will affect 3,200 residents in 502 residential units, as well as 49 shops located in the building.
The EMCO takes effect today, and will last until 13 April
According to Malaysiakini, this is the first time an EMCO is applied to a specific building, and in an urban area.
The previous two EMCOs were declared in Kluang, Johor on 27 March, and in Hulu Langat, Selangor on 29 March, after a spike of COVID-19 cases were also detected in these two areas.
During the order, all residents will not be allowed to leave the building, while visitors will not be allowed in
All businesses will be closed except for those selling essentials, and unlike the previous two EMCO, apartment residents will still be able to order food deliveries, which have to be delivered to the building's lobby.
A medical base will be set up in the area, while police officers, army, civil defence forces, and People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) personnel will be stationed there to enforce the order.
"All residents are asked to remain calm and to fully cooperate with the Ministry of Health officers and obey the authorities' instructions," reminded the Defence Minister.
