Police Catch Woman With Pink Tag Grocery Shopping Outside TEMCO Area In Kedah
She said she was unaware that her movements were only limited to the TEMCO area.
By May Vin Ang — 11 Aug 2020, 12:21 PM
A woman in Kubang Pasu, Kedah, was caught grocery shopping outside of the Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) area that she was supposed to be confined to
Kubang Pasu district police chief Superintendent Mohd Ismail Ibrahim said the 30-year-old woman was identified by supermarket staff who saw she was wearing a pink quarantine wristband.
"We were alerted by the supermarket operator after one of them noticed the band on her wrist. They apprehended her and alerted the police," said Mohd Ismail, as quoted by New Straits Times.
When questioned, the woman said she was unaware that her movements were only limited to the TEMCO area
She also said that she only came out to buy basic items and daily necessities.
However, the police have issued the woman a RM1,000 compound for the offence.
"The case is being investigated under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342)," he said.
The police believe that the woman had used jalan tikus, or small side roads, to leave the restricted area, as all the main roads had been blocked by security personnel.
"There are eight access points. All of them have roadblocks set up since 3 August," he said.
A total of 224 policemen have been assigned to oversee the TEMCO areas, and are assisted by reinforcements from the Kedah police contingent headquarters and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force and People's Volunteer Corps (RELA).
Mohd Ismail reminded that those living in the TEMCO areas are only allowed to move within a 1km radius of the location
"Anyone found venturing farther than the permitted distance will be subject to stern action," he said, adding that the police have issued 82 compounds in Kubang Pasu since the TEMCO was enforced.
"So far, all residents in the three areas, namely Napoh, Jitra, and Megat Dewa, have undergone health screening tests following the discovery of the Sivaganga cluster here last month," said the police chief.
Mohd Ismail added that some residents have been reluctant to undergo for COVID-19 screening because they fear that they would run out of food rations if their quarantine period is extended.
"Rest assured there is no shortage of food, as agencies are continuing to distribute food items to those in the affected areas," he said.
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