Govt considering whether to put Selangor in lockdown, says Ismail

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the National Security Council (MKN) is reviewing a proposal to put Selangor under a total lockdown or enhanced movement control order (EMCO).

This follows the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases as of late.

During a press conference today, Ismail said the conditional movement control order (CMCO) affecting Selangor will remain until further assessment was done by the government.

The current CMCO, affecting Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya, is set to end on Oct 27.

Ismail said they needed to first get different perspectives from the health ministry and other relevant ministries about how an EMCO will affect the different economic sectors.

“It is true I have received many views that Selangor has too many cases. We are still assessing in detail the suggestion to change from CMCO to EMCO.

“Under EMCO, individuals cannot leave their houses and food must be sent to every household.

“Secondly, the economy will shut down. Shops cannot open for business.

“There are also those who will be without income if they cannot operate their business.”

Therefore, Ismail said there needed to be a balance between controlling the spread of the virus and the livelihood of the people, even though an EMCO would make it easier to control public movement. FMT