No plans for MCO despite surge in Covid-19 cases to 20,696 from Dec 10-Dec 16

Covid-19 lockdown (file photo)

KUCHING, Dec 18: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that there are no plans to implement lockdowns, such as the movement control order (MCO), despite a 62.2 per cent increase (20,696) in Covid-19 cases between Dec 10 and Dec 16.

According to MOH minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, his ministry will also reinstate the Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, Seek (TRIIS) framework to prevent any potential outbreaks, MalayMail reported.

“Malaysia is currently facing a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases. The Ministry of Health hopes that this situation can be dealt with without having to repeat restrictions such as the MCO that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic,” he told reporters at a press conference held today in Putrajaya, cited by the news outlet.

It was also reported that from Dec 3 and Dec 9, 12,757 Covid-19 cases were recorded, an increase of 88 per cent from the 6,796 recorded the week before.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, in a statement today, noted that Sarawak is still waiting for the directive from MOH on actions to be taken amidst the rise in Covid-19 cases in the country.

Uggah, also chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), highlighted that the increase in Covid-19 cases is worrying.

He added that Sarawak must wait for the directive to determine whether the State is required to organise the third vaccination. — DayakDaily