NORTHERN Kuala Lumpur, including the area around the Selayang wholesale market, has been placed under an enhanced movement-control order (EMCO) from today until May 3, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Eight parcels of land in the area will be under total lockdown to enable tracing and testing of people there for Covid-19 infections, he said.

“The EMCO takes effect immediately and will run until May 3,” the National Security Council spokesman said during a live telecast from Putrajaya today. 

This would be sixth EMCO ordered, which was made under the advice of the Health Ministry, he added. 

The areas locked down are:

– Jalan 6/3A, Pusat Bandar Utara

– Jalan 6/3A dan 9/3A, Pusat Bandar Utara

– Jalan 2/3A, Pusat Bandar Utara

– Taman Sri Murni Fasa 2, Jalan 1/2D

– Taman Sri Murni Fasa 1, Jalan 1/2D

– Taman Sri Murni Fasa 3, Jalan 1/2B

– Taman Batu View dan Taman Batu Hampar

“We ask all residents to remain calm and give their full cooperation to Health Ministry. We don’t want anyone to leave the area as this can cause the virus to spread,” he said.

To a question on whether the EMCO will affect the Selayang wholesale market’s ability to supply fresh produce to supermarkets and grocery stores in the Klang Valley, Ismail said the market would remain open.

“We are not not closing the market. We are only closing the residential area near it, where many residents are Rohingya who hold UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) cards.”

He said residents who need assistance or have questions can contact the Kuala Lumpur City Hall MCO operations room at 03-4026 7222 or the Sentul district police headquarters at 03-4048 2212.

Other areas under EMCO are Simpang Renggam in Johor and the Menara City One, Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion buildings in the Masjid India area in Kuala Lumpur.

The EMCO for Hulu Langat was lifted on April 14.