Covid-19: King quarantined after 7 Istana Negara staffers test positive

CORONAVIRUS | The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah are now undergoing quarantine.

This is after seven Istana Negara staffers tested positive for Covid-19.

Bernama cited Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadli Shamsuddin as saying the seven are in stable condition.

The King and Queen have tested negative for the virus, and have been undergoing the 14-day quarantine since yesterday.

Thorough contact tracing is underway and all who have had close contact with the seven have been ordered to get tested.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry is still investigating which cluster infected the seven staffers.

"In order to ensure that the spread of the virus can be controlled and prevented at Istana Negara, all staff who had been working together with the seven and their close contacts have been ordered to quarantine themselves for 14 days," said Ahmad Fadli in a statement to the media.

The palace is also conducting a thorough cleaning and disinfection process according to Health Ministry's guidelines.

According to him, Sultan Abdullah has been advised not to attend a pre-cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin which was scheduled for yesterday, and its future sessions, until the pandemic situation is over.

King orders religious affairs minister to organise solat hajat

Meanwhile, in the statement, Ahmad Fadli said the King has also voiced his support to the early announcement of the 14-day extension to the movement control order.

"His Royal Highness hopes that the people will be strong in facing the situation, and continue to give their support to the healthcare workers and security personnel on duty," he said.

According to the comptroller, Sultan Abdullah has ordered de facto religious affairs minister, Zulkifli Mohamad, to organise a simultaneous "solat hajat" (prayer) to seek God's help in ensuring the wellbeing of the people.

The King also conveyed his well wishes to the police force for their 213th Police Day anniversary, which fell yesterday, and expressed his appreciation to the men in blue for their commitment in enforcing the MCO to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Additional reporting by Hariz Mohd.

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