Malaysia to conduct SARS-COV-2 tests for illegal migrants

Noor Hisham Abdullah, a senior health official (Source: malaymail.com)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia will conduct SARS-CoV-2 tests for undocumented migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Noor Hisham Abdullah, a senior health official, said on May 1.

He added that the local health sector is responsible for ensuring these migrants, whether they are in prion or in containment centres, are free from the infection.

According to Malaysian police,  more than 700 migrants were taken into custody including children and Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

To date, Malaysia has recorded 6,071 COVID-19 cases with over 100 deaths.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on May 1 that the nation will allow a majority of enterprises to resume operations from May 4 and partially ease restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

The Southeast Asian country has not reopened its borders. Inter-state travel will also be banned.

The PM required all people to continue wearing masks, practising social distancing and maintaining high levels of personal hygiene.

He also informed that the Government had lost 63 billion ringgit (14.6 billion USD) from the movement and travel restrictions imposed over six weeks. It will lose another 35 billion ringgit if the restrictions have been extended by a month./.