Home Quarantined Individuals Who Avoid Their Second COVID-19 Test Will Be Arrested

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob broke the news in a statement yesterday, 26 July. 

He said, "We are instructing these individuals to contact their nearest district health office (PKD) to do their second test."

In a statement released yesterday, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, "The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the police will work closely to find these individuals who have not reported to the nearest district clinics with their 13th day COVID-19 tests in hand."

Beginning Friday, 24 July, the government has instructed that individuals returning to Malaysia from overseas must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at government-designated quarantine centres.

However, Ismail Sabri disclosed in a statement that MOH officers and members of PDRM will be performing spot checks to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) for a total of 9,600 individuals who are still observing the HSO.

During a press conference last Thursday, 23 July, Dr Noor Hisham noted that the number of check-ins at grocery stores, restaurants, and other places using the MySejahtera has decreased. 

"This shows that Malaysians are increasingly not adhering to SOPs," he said.

The Health D-G reminded the public of six points to keep in mind when undergoing home quarantine:

- Stay at home and avoid contact with your family members or friends.
- Wear a mask if it is difficult to practise safe social distancing of 1m.
- Use the MySejahtera app to do your own health checks.
- Wear the given pink wristband during the entire duration of HSO. 
- On the 13th day of home quarantine, go to a private or MOH certified clinic for a second COVID-19 test.
- Present a copy of your test results to the nearest district health centre on the 14th day of home quarantine.