Videos Of A Swamped Quarantine Centre Are Making Netizens Question Our COVID-19 Situation
The videos were taken at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 08 Jan 2021, 01:01 PM — Updated almost 4 years ago
Videos and photos showing a quarantine centre swamped with people are making Malaysians worry about the current COVID-19 situation in the country
Of the footage going viral on Facebook and WhatsApp, one 42-second long clip stood out particularly.
It shows hundreds of people queuing in one straight line while holding their luggage.
Besides the long queue, hundreds of double-decker beds with people resting on them can be seen in the video too.
The caption of the video claims that it was taken at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang.
SAYS managed to speak to a COVID-19 patient in the quarantine centre and he confirmed with us that the video does indeed reflect the current situation at MAEPS
Zamahisham told this SAYS writer that he tested positive for COVID-19. He currently suffers from mild symptoms, such as fever and loss of taste.
To verify the viral footage, Zamahisham sent us photos and videos at the quarantine centre — and they do show many patients resting in their new quarters.
Some of the beds are still empty, to which he said, "Maybe this afternoon will be more crowded."
Meanwhile, a report by The Star has also verified the authenticity of the viral video with a top official in MOH.
MAEPS was reopened as a quarantine centre in December 2020. It has a bed capacity of about 10,000.
At that time, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the space will cater to COVID-19 positive foreign patients who have no symptoms or minor symptoms, reported New Straits Times.
However, as of today, the quarantine centre has also taken in many Malaysians.
Zamahisham told SAYS people in the centre now are all Malaysians with minor COVID-19 symptoms.
Following the viral footage, many Malaysians have voiced their concerns over the current COVID-19 situation in the country
"They are not even practising physical distancing," one netizen commented on the video.
"We are dead. Another three to four weeks, Malaysia will hit 4,000 in new cases each day," said a person, while another simply added that the footage is a "sad sight".
"What is the government waiting for? Wait until it gets worse and until you can no longer control it, then only you want to reinstate the Movement Control Order (MCO)?" asked an infuriated netizen.
Remember to limit your movement and wash your hands often. Watch the latest update on the COVID-19 situation:
