PM: SOP must be tightened amidst worrying rise in Covid-19 cases

By Bernama

November 2, 2020 @ 8:46pm

KUALA LUMPUR: The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic requires a faster, more effective mitigation and intervention approach, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who chaired the National Security Council (MKN) Special Meeting on Covid-19 today.

Muhyiddin said this in a Facebook post today following a surge in infections in several districts of Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Perak and Johor, which have become yellow or red zones within just one or two weeks.

"Alhamdulillah, I chaired the MKN Special Meeting on Covid-19 this morning to discuss the actions that need to be intensified to curb and handle the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I also expressed concerns over the Covid-19 situation in the country, which is still showing a rise in the number of positive cases even though it is not a steep rise," he said.

As such, Muhyiddin said he has instructed the MKN to carry out a review on the standard operating procedures (SOP) for social and sports activities to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.

He said the SOP needs to be tightened to a level similar to the SOP during the Movement Control Order (MCO).

The Prime Minister said the MKN will table a proposal on a tightened SOP in their meeting tomorrow.

He also expressed hope that the tightened SOP would be put into force immediately, as the current rate of infection is quite worrying.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said he has agreed to a proposal by the Sabah Disaster Management Committee to amend Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) SOP at all localities in the state.

He said the amendment to the SOP is aimed at helping those affected live in a better EMCO situation.

The Prime Minister also said that among positive developments reported at the special meeting is the ending of the CMCO at eight prisons after no new cases were reported over the past 14 days.

"Congratulations to the Prisons Department and the Ministry of Health for working well together to curb the spread of Covid-19 in prisons," he added. - Bernama