KUCHING: The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has enforced the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) at Kampung Haji Baki here beginning Oct 28 at 6pm until Nov 11.
SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas announced on Tuesday (Oct 27) that the EMCO was a pre-emptive measure taken by the committee following Kuching’s declaration as a Covid-19 red zone.
“Today (Oct 27), Kuching has changed its status from yellow to red with 49 cases of local infection. Of the total cases, 25 cases are from Kampung Haji Baki.
“The 25 cases involve immediate family members of the index case, neighbours, primary and secondary school students as well as health workers.
“To break the Covid-19 chain for this cluster, SDMC is taking preventive measures by imposing the EMCO,” he said when delivering SDMC’s Covid-19 update.
Uggah revealed that the areas involved in the EMCO were Kampung Haji Baki Block A, Block B, and Block C respectively.
He added that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) would be responsible for exercising control over local areas of infection with assistance from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela).
“All entrances to and from EMCO areas are closed and movements in and out for officer warders on duty into the EMCO areas are also not allowed. Consideration can be given by the PDRM and MoH (Ministry of Health) based on a case by case basis.
“No guests and outside visitors are allowed in during the EMCO.”
Uggah explained that the EMCO involved certain rules and regulations. Some of the rules are as follows:
i. All residents in the affected areas are not allowed to leave their homes.
ii. For emergency cases such as illness and death, they are allowed to leave the zone but need to get permission from PDRM.
iii. All suraus, mosques, other houses of worship and schools in the EMCO areas are closed during the period.
iv. All sectors of the economy are not allowed to operate.
v. Religious, social, recreational, cultural and sports activities are not allowed.
vi.The MoH will conduct targeted screening for all Residents involved
vii. Food supplies will be distributed by the state government which will be coordinated by the Kuching Division Disaster Management Committee.
Uggah added all employers (civil servants and private sector workers) must cooperate by allowing employees living in the EMCO areas to work from home.
