KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities are setting up roadblocks at toll plazas nationwide to discourage motorists from traveling between states, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
He said interstate travels are currently limited to those with police permission, and that the decision to allow those separated from their families to travel to other states was made on humanitarian grounds.
"The only time people were allowed to travel interstate was the four days (between May 7 and 10) under the Gerak Malaysia app.
"The public is prohibited from travelling interstate, except with police permission.
"This offence is punishable under Act 342 (under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988).
"I don't know if this is true (people travelling interstate illegally). It could be done as a provocation (to others). Send us their selfies (pictures) and police will track them down," he told a Press conference in Putrajaya today.
Ismail Sabri was responding to posts by social media users who claim to have managed to avoid roadblocks and travelled to other states.
"We allowed interstate travel for those separated from families on humanitarian grounds. There were people who were separated from their children for two months (since the MCO started). The ban, however, still applies. We understand that there are also many single people who miss and want to see their parents (back in their hometowns).
"Please be patient and please comply with the rules and SOPs. We will see if we can look into allowing this (in future)," he added.