Government / Public Policy

Dr Noor Hisham: Those arriving from Sabah must undergo screening, quarantine

KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals returning from Sabah must undergo mandatory home quarantine beginning tomorrow as per the Health Ministry's Home Surveillance Order (HSO) rules.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said they would also be subject to compulsory Covid-19 health inspection and screening activities upon arrival at the country's entry points in the Peninsular and Sarawak from Sept 27 to Oct 10.

These, he said, were crucial to contain the spread of the virus following the recent spike in cases in the state which had led to community transmission in West Malaysia.

"As reported on Sept 25, 10 Covid-19 positive cases were detected among people returning from Sabah from Sept 20 to Sept 25. Today, 11 more cases were detected in Peninsular Malaysia among returnees from Sabah.

"The increase in cases and clusters in Sabah is still ongoing and four districts have been identified as red zones (after recording more than 40 cases in the last 14 days).

"Taking into account the current situation, there is a need to implement measures to prevent and control the transmission of Covid-19 on individuals with a travel history from Sabah to monitor the risk of infection transmission among them.

"Therefore, from Sept 27 to Oct 10, screening activities will be conducted for all individuals who have just arrived from Sabah at the international entrance," he said in a statement today.

Dr Noor Hisham said among others, they are required to download and register with the MySejahtera application and check-in using this application upon arrival at the point of entry (Pintu Masuk (Domestik dan Antarabangsa) (PMA).

Upon arrival at the gate, he said, they would undergo respiratory symptomatic screening and Covid-19 detection screening test.

"They will have to undertake Home Surveillance Order (HSO). All individuals at PMA will be given a HSO letter, and will be given a quarantine bracelet.

"HSO dates will start from the date of arrival at PMA

until laboratory results are obtained. HSO release will be given if laboratory test results show negative Covid-19."

He further said if there are individuals who need to continue their journey to their homes by public transport such as taxis and Grab cars, a letter of permission to go to the designated address will be given on that day.

If they experience respiratory tract infection symptoms within 14 days from the date of return, he or she should undergo repeated screening for Covid-19, he said.

He said screening of individuals (citizens and non-citizens) returning from Sabah would be exempted from the Covid-19 test charge.

"The implementation period of Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures on individuals who have just returned from Sabah will be reviewed from time to time, based on the assessment of the risk of infection transmission at that time and information on any related changes will be made public."

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories