All Football Competitions Postponed To A Later Date

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Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that even though football was played in empty stadiums, there was still contact between players.(Facebook pic)KUALA LUMPUR: All football competitions are postponed to a later date in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
He said the health ministry had voiced concern about allowing cup competitions like the Malaysia Cup to continue as there would be a lot of contact among players, adding that their sweat posed a greater risk of transmission.
“We apologise to all football fans, but after being briefed by the youth and sports ministry, the health ministry feels that for football competitions, even though played in empty stadiums, there’s still contact between players.
“It’s quite dangerous because they’re soaked in sweat, so the contact might be more dangerous than normal. In badminton, if it is a singles game, there is no contact, but for football, this can’t be avoided,” Ismail said at a press conference today.
Meanwhile, on work-from-home arrangements for those living in states under the recovery movement control order (RMCO), Ismail said the government understood the plight of working parents who needed to take care of their children, who are now forced to stay at home due to the nationwide school closure.
He added that the matter was raised during today’s MKN meeting, where the minister of women, family and community development was also asked to come up with tight SOPs for kindergartens.
“We will wait for the announcement later.”
On travel to Sarawak for those living in RMCO states, namely Pahang, Perlis and Kelantan, Ismail said Sarawak have set their SOPs.
“Interstate travel to Sarawak is still prohibited, even for those from RMCO states. Sarawak has set their SOP to not allow the arrival of people from the peninsula, Sabah or Labuan, except with permission from police.”
Meanwhile, speaking on preparations for floods, he said the MKN has decided on the SOPs for the management of floods and evacuation centres in light of the monsoon season.
Among the SOPs are that temporary evacuation centres must be equipped with the MySejahtera QR codes. Every officer or victim must download the app.
The evacuation centre must also be disinfected before the arrival of displaced flood victims. The centre must also prepare face masks, hand sanitisers, thermometers and personal protective equipment.
The evacuation process from victims’ homes to the centres must follow a strict guideline, and only packed food can be provided. All victims that have been evacuated must be screened and placed in the centres with physical distancing in mind.
Those showing symptoms will be referred to the clinic, and if negative, they must be placed in dedicated isolation rooms. The length of isolation will be advised by the health ministry.
Further information on flood management SOPs during Covid-19 can be found online on the MKN and the National Disaster Management Agency website.
On the number of arrests yesterday, Ismail said a total of 717 people were arrested. Out of this, 704 of them were compounded, 11 remanded and two given bail.
Another 205 were arrested for failing to comply with physical distancing rules, and 118 for not wearing face masks.
Other offences include activities at entertainment centres, failing to record personal details at business premises and opening shops beyond the allowed opening times, among others.
He said, 63 of those arrested had flouted interstate and inter-district travel SOPs.
Meanwhile, police also arrested 22 undocumented migrants and confiscated three land vehicles as part of Ops Benteng. So far, Ismail said the immigration department has deported 31,282 undocumented migrants to their respective countries. - FMT

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