KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 532 people observing home quarantine nationwide who failed to undergo their second Covid-19 test have been tracked down by police, said Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
The negligent individuals were found in Selangor (303 people), Kuala Lumpur (156), Johor (62), Sabah (three), two each in Pahang and Kedah, and one each in Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Kelantan and Sarawak.
He said police acted after receiving a list of 577 individuals categorised as "dropouts" for failing to take the second Covid-19 test at the Centre of Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) of the Health Ministry last Friday.
"As such, the Criminal Investigation Department launched an exercise to trace the absentees nationwide.
"Of the total, 532 were detected, which is 92 per cent, while 45 individuals are still being traced," he told Bernama at Bukit Aman here.
Abdul Hamid said all 532 individuals took their second Covid-19 test at nearby health clinics after 392 were traced by phone, and 140 were contacted through their home address.
"Police are advising individuals who have yet to go for their second screening to do so at the nearest health clinic immediately," he said.
Abdul Hamid said those who continue to defy the order will face stern actions under Act 342 and other regulations in effect.
On July 1, Bernama reported Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as saying 1,472 individuals undergoing home quarantine had yet to go for their Covid-19 test on the 13th day. – Bernama