KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — Putrajaya has announced today an Enhanced movement control order (MCO) in two areas in Simpang Renggam after recording 61 positive cases of Covid-19 there, out of 83 in Kluang.

The Enhanced MCO in Kampung Dato’ Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Dato’ Ibrahim Majid will involve 3,570 local residents from 650 families, effective midnight tomorrow until April 9.

"This is to prevent Covid-19 infection from spreading out from the areas. This move will allow house-to-house case monitoring activities to be implemented in the period of 14 days,” Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement.

During the order, all local and visitors in the areas are subject to house curfew, while non-locals are not allowed in with all entry points blocked.

In addition, all business activities must halt during the period.

Any essential food item will be distributed by the Social Welfare Department. A medical base will also be set up there.

Police officers, Armed Forces, Civil Defence Force, and People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) personnel will be stationed there to enforce the order.

"For the implementation of the order, all residents are asked to stay calm and give full cooperation to Health Ministry staff, and obey all directives from authorities,” Ismail said.

Earlier today, Johor identified the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang as the state’s Covid-19 hospital due to the increased prevalence of Covid-19 infection in Johor.

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman, R. Vidyanathan said since the announcement yesterday, all non-emergency cases are advised to seek treatment at a nearby clinic or hospital.