Govt Reverts To Mandatory Quarantine In Centres As Daily COVID-19 Cases Continue To Rise
Ismail Sabri said the decision was made because several people were caught flouting the home quarantine order.
By May Vin Ang — 21 Jul 2020, 06:45 PM
All those returning to Malaysia from overseas will have to undergo mandatory quarantine at centres designated by the government starting Friday, 24 July
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob made the announcement during the COVID-19 national security conference today, 21 July.
The Defence Minister said that this applied to both Malaysians and non-citizens who have been allowed to enter the country.
He also said those who undergo the mandatory quarantine will have to bear full accommodation costs, be it in hotels or other quarantine centres.
Ismail Sabri added that Malaysians returning home do not need to undergo COVID-19 swab tests before their flight from overseas
However, foreigners flying into Malaysia will still have to take the test three days before boarding their flights.
Ismail Sabri said the decision to bring back mandatory quarantine at designated facilities was because several people were caught flouting the Home Surveillance Order (HSO)
Their careless attitude, he said, could increase the risk of COVID-19 being transmitted to their family members and the people around them.
"Our citizens returned home and are supposed to do home quarantine, but they violated rules set by the government," he said.
"Those who are supposed to be at home were seen eating at restaurants while wearing the wristbands."
According to Malay Mail, these wristbands were introduced to identify people who are supposed to be in home quarantine for 14 days after returning from overseas.
The minister also expressed concern over the recent upward trend of COVID-19 cases globally, which will possibly contribute to rising numbers in Malaysia
He said between 10 June, which marked the start of the Recovery Movement Control Order, and yesterday, 20 July, 22,480 Malaysians have returned home via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Of that number, only 78 were brought to the hospital, while the rest underwent home quarantine as previously ordered.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health reported 15 new COVID-19 cases today, of which 11 are local transmissions and four are imported.
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