KUALA LUMPUR: The Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at the Desa Bistari flats in Batu Uban, Penang ends today.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the area, which was initially scheduled to be under the EMCO until Dec 31, would see the order being lifted earlier as screenings by the Health Ministry have been completed.
"The government previously extended the EMCO at Desa Bistari flats, Batu Uban, Mukim 13, Timur Laut in Penang until Dec 31.
"Until now, the Health Ministry has completed its Covid-19 screening tests on all residents in the locality and there are no more samples pending their results.
"The Health Ministry also confirmed the remaining positive cases in the locality are under control and showing a declining trend," he said in a statement issued today.
Following the advice and risk assessment by the Health Ministry, Ismail Sabri said the government agreed to end the EMCO earlier.
Last week, more than 1,000 residents of the Desa Bistari flats appealed for food aid.
Desa Bistari Residents Association chairman Md Yusry Md Yusoff had said before the extension, they received food aid from non-governmental organisations (NGO) and local leaders.
However, he said it was not enough to be distributed to the more than 1,000 residents of the flats.