KUALA LUMPUR: In a move to prevent further spread of Covid-19, Malaysians returning from abroad will be transported immediately to quarantine zones upon arrival, said Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said families of those returning home need not wait at the airport for them.
“We advise family members against going to the airport to welcome them (individuals returning to Malaysia) as they will be transported in buses to quarantine zones immediately upon arrival. They will be quarantined for 14 days at the designated centres and would be screened by the Health Ministry staff,” he said in a live telecast today.
He said the standard operating procedure (SOP) must be adhered at all time at the quarantine centres.
“There is no need to worry as the family members can still keep in touch (with the affected people) through other means like phones.
“We watch and read in the news that many countries have reported increase in Covid-19 cases due to movement of people who returned to their hometowns. This included cases reported in Wuhan, China, after people returned home,” he said.
He said the government advised those with accommodations abroad including students to stay where there are to curb the spread of the virus.
As of Tuesday (today), a total of 3,201 Malaysians have returned home from various countries amid the global fight against Covid-19.
Previously, only those with Covid-19 symptoms were quarantined for 14 days at MOH centres while others were asked to self-isolate at home.
On another matter, Ismail said the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) had been tasked to ensure sufficient supplies of fresh produce such as fish and vegetables through the setting up of sales centres at 77 locations nationwide, including Pasar Tani, myFarm and Pertubuhan Peladang (Federation of Farmers’ Association) premises.
He said social distancing was an issue at crowded morning markets and that many people did not have many options to find supplies of fresh food.