KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): The administrative Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) imposed on the Melor zone, Amanjaya, Kedah, which had been extended for two weeks, will officially end today, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said that the decision to end the administrative EMCO was made since there have been no new Covid-19 cases recorded in the zone since Sept 14.

"A total of 4,931 samples were taken in the Melor zone and the number of positive Covid-19 cases remained at 13 cases as recorded on Sept 13," he said in a statement today.

The government previously announced the implementation of the administrative EMCO in Amanjaya, Kedah starting from Aug 27, which involved three zones, namely Kenanga, Mawar, and Melor.

However, the order imposed on Kenanga and Mawar zones ended on Sept 13, while for the Melor zone, it had to be extended to Sept 27 following 12 positive Covid-19 cases detected in the second screening conducted in the area.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) arrested 523 individuals for breaching the Recovery Movement Control Order yesterday. Of the total, 483 individuals were issued compounds while 40 others were remanded.

He said the highest number of offences reported involved nightclubs and pubs with 356 individuals detained while failure to practise physical distancing (105), failure to wear face masks (38), failure to provide equipment for recording visitor particulars (20), and four illegal immigrants were also detained.

On "Ops Benteng", Ismail Sabri said a total of 75 illegal immigrants were detained and three vehicles were also seized yesterday.

"A total of 98 roadblocks of 'Ops Benteng' were mounted yesterday involving PDRM (76), Malaysian Border Security Agency (10), and the Malaysian Armed Forces (12)," he said.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said 35,991 individuals from 33 countries have returned to Malaysia via international entry points since July 24 and are housed in 67 hotels and nine other premises including public training institutes and private educational institutions in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Johor, Sarawak, Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu, Sabah, and Labuan.

"Of that number, 8,349 individuals are undergoing mandatory quarantine while 103 individuals have been sent to hospital for treatment. A total of 27,539 individuals have been discharged and allowed to return home," he said.