Health Minister Dr Adham Baba has revealed that a electronic tracking device may soon be required for COVID-19 patients as part of the five new provisions under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021. The new provisions will come into force on 11th March and it is aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 infections.
According to the minister, the high-tech device comes in the form of a wristband or a tracking device. It will be made mandatory for individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, persons under investigation (PUI) or close contacts of COVID-19 patients, as well as persons under surveillance (PUS).
During the press conference, he said that the device has to be worn for 10 days. A penalty will be imposed on the wearer if the tracking device is destroyed, damaged, lost or altered.
It is worth pointing out that South Korea has also used technology to track and monitor people that are placed under quarantine. The individuals are required to download a mobile app that tracks their movement via GPS. If the person switches off their phone or have left their intended quarantine area, a health officer will be informed for further action.
Eventually, South Korea switched to tracking wristbands as quarantine breakers have tried to beat the system by leaving their phones at home.
Under the new provisions, MCO violators can be fined up to RM10,000 for individuals or up to RM50,000 for companies, starting from 11th March 2021. You can read the full copy of the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 here.
