ALOR SETAR, Nov 25 — The Kedah government will submit an application for the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) to be implemented in Kulim, following the spread of a new cluster in the district.
Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said that the Bayam Indah Cluster was detected in the district on Nov 21 and as at yesterday, a total of 50 positive COVID-19 cases linked to the cluster had been detected. It is feared that if the virus is not contained it will spread further within the industrial area.
“Our concern is that it (COVID-19) will spread to other industrial areas as happened in Selangor, affecting factory production. The Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) is located in the area, so we want to take care of this area as the state’s economic generator.
“There are more than 30,000 workers at KHTP, so we do not want the factories to be closed down because it will have a huge impact. Therefore, we hope to tighten control in Kulim, especially around Bayam Indah,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting here today.
He said the population of Kulim was 329,000, while the spread of the Bayam Indah Cluster involved location with more than 17,000 residents.
“If we take into account a 500 meter radius (from the Bayam Indah area) there are 1,412 houses involving several housing estates with more than 6,000 residents,” said Muhammad Sanusi.
He said that lessons should be taken from the experience in Aman Jaya in Sungai Petani, before, as the infection moves faster and easier in areas with high population density.
In this regard, he also reminded the public to ensure full compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He said that based on the record, there are 12 clusters in Kedah that have ended, including Tawar, Telaga, Sivagangga and Sungai. – BERNAMA