COVID-19 | There will be no inter-district travel allowed in Sabah from midnight this Saturday, announced Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob this afternoon.

“The government has decided to impose a district movement control (order) across the whole of Sabah that will come into effect from 12am Oct 3 until Oct 16.

“However, (personnel in) essential services like food supply, medical, security and others will be allowed to make inter-district journeys,” said Ismail.

He added that throughout this period, individuals whose quarantine period is expiring will be allowed to return to their respective districts or to the peninsula, Sarawak and Labuan.

Ismail added that the targeted enhanced movement control order (MCO) currently imposed in four districts - Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak - would remain.

This travel ban came as Covid-19 began spiking in Sabah a month ago.

As of noon yesterday, a total of 888 cases were reported in the state, the highest cumulative case count among all states. It presently has 10 active infection clusters.

Sabah has also become the new epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia.

Many new cases and clusters in Peninsular Malaysia have been traced back to individuals with travel history in the state.

Refer to Health Ministry info

In his statement today, Ismail urged caution against spreading misinformation and worry about the pandemic.

“I want to stress that only the Health Ministry can determine if a public area has a Covid-19 positive case [...]

“Also, only the Health Ministry can issue letters on the 14-day quarantine order to individuals who either have close contact with Covid-19 positive patients or have symptoms,” he said.

The minister warned the public that legal action could be taken against those who spread misinformation as well as those who reveal the name of Covid-19 patients.

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