Open wide: Dr Noradhiah Tumirin taking a swab sample from a resident at the Selcare clinic in Puchong during a Covid-19 screening. The Selangor government is providing free tests for those who returned from Sabah before the mandatory screening ruling at airports was implemented recently. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
KLANG: The Selangor government has initiated several measures following a spike in Covid-19 cases in the state, including free screening for Selangor residents who were in Sabah between Sept 20 and 26.
In announcing this on Friday evening (Oct 20), Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the number of cases in Selangor had reached double digits on two consecutive days.
“The state government believes that with the necessary measures, we can successfully curb the situation,” he added.
He said among the measures taken was extending the Covid-19 operations room hours to 7pm from the current office hours.
The operations room, located at the state secretariat, is to enable the state government to monitor the current status of the pandemic.
Other measures included targeted testing for those who returned from Sabah.
He added that considering there was a possibility that new infections were linked to Sabah, the Selangor government would hold free targeted screening for the people of Selangor who had travelled to Sabah between Sept 20 and 26.
“The screening can be done at all Selcare clinics belonging to the state government’s Selgate Healthcare with proof of flight documents, as well as proof that they are residents of Selangor,” said Amirudin.
He said those who wanted the Covid-19 testing were required to go to the nearest Selcare clinic as stipulated in https://selcareclinic.com/our-clinics/ beginning Sunday (Oct 4).
“Special arrangements will also be made for testing to be conducted at community halls in the Kuala Selangor district on dates and locations fixed later,” he said.
In addition to adhering to the National Security Council’s conditional movement control order prohibiting clubs and bars from operating, Amirudin said restaurants with bars in Selangor would only be allowed to operate up to 11pm daily beginning Oct 3.
“Failure to observe this directive could lead to their business licenses being revoked with immediate effect,” said Amirudin.
He said the automated check-in system, SELangkah, has also been upgraded with new features to enable users to obtain information on premises that had been exposed to Covid-19 and when the premises were sanitised.
Users can also check if they have frequented high-risk premises during the incubation period.
“In time to come, users could also check if they have been exposed to other individuals confirmed to be infected with Covid-19,” said Amirudin.
According to Amirudin, Selangor will also set-up four temporary detention centres for illegal immigrants.
He said the state government did not encourage big conferences and gatherings, and the maximum number of participants at one time must not exceed 250 people.
“It must be reminded that Selangor had recorded a high number of cases during the early days of the pandemic but we succeeded in controlling it.
“This proves that our method before this was effective if fully supported by the people,” said Amirudin.
He urged members of the public to abide by the standard operating procedures that include observing the 3Ws – wash, wear and warn – as well as avoid congested and busy places and observe social distancing
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