CORONAVIRUS | The government is implementing an enhanced movement control order (MCO) in two areas in Johor effective midnight tonight until April 9.

The order would see Kampung Dato' Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Dato' Ibrahim Majid in Kluang placed under a strict curfew for 14 days while health officers search house-to-house for Covid-19 cases.

"The purpose of the enhanced movement control order is to curtail the spread of Covid-19 and prevent it from spreading out of the area.

"This would enable case finding to be conducted house-to-house over the 14-day period," said Senior Minister (Defence) Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a statement today.

Under the enhanced order, all including visitors already in the two areas are to remain indoors. All businesses will be closed and food will be provided by the Welfare Department.

In addition, all roads in and out of the areas would be closed and non-residents would not be allowed to enter.

A medical base would be set up in the affected areas while the police, armed forces, civil defence force and People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) would be mobilised to enforce the order.

"For the implementation of the order, all residents are asked to remain calm and give their full cooperation to Health Ministry officers and obey all instructions from the authorities," Ismail Sabri said.

He said the Health Ministry has confirmed 83 Covid-19 cases in Johor’s Kluang district. Of these, 61 had come from the two areas.

As such, he said the government has decided the implement the enhanced control order upon Health Minister Dr Adham Baba's advice.

The order would affect 650 households totalling 3,570 people.

The two affected areas within the Kluang district falls under Simpang Renggam parliamentary seat.

In an immediate response, Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik urged for calm among affected residents and to continue abiding by the order to stay home.

"The Simpang Renggam MP service centre will offer full cooperation with authorities to ensure the outbreak can be fully contained," he said, adding that updates will be provided on available aides for the people.

Residents who need help or clarification can call the hotline 07-7735224 / 07-7722434.