Minister: Public can travel more than 10km if no nearby hospitals, shops

CORONAVIRUS | Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has clarified there are exceptions for the 10km travel restriction under the movement control order.

He said if there are no shops or medical facilities within that radius, then the public can travel to the nearest outlet outside of the 10km.

"Yesterday, we heard that some individuals wanted to get medicine but because it was more than 10km, they had to cancel their plans,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

"If it involves health, going to the clinic, the police can exercise discretion," he said, giving a similar example if one needed to purchase groceries.

The 10km restriction was imposed as part of the second phase of the MCO.

Health Minister Adham Baba, when met in Serdang, likewise said there would be no reason for police to stop someone if there were seeking treatment.

He said this more often happened in Sabah and Sarawak as opposed to the Klang Valley where health services are within reasonable distances.

Meanwhile, Ismail said there was also leeway for interstate travel.

For example, he said someone living in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, could cross over to Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur to access the facilities there.

Likewise, those living in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, may also need to cross over into Segamat, Johor to reach health facilities.

On a related matter, Ismail said 524 people were arrested for violating the MCO yesterday, down from 562 on Wednesday.

He said 483 people were also charged for MCO-related violations yesterday.

Additional reporting by Geraldine Tong.

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