KUALA LUMPUR:The Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in two prisons, Bentong Prison and Taiping Prison, as well as their staff quarters, has been extended until February 22.

Senior Minister (Defence Cluster), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said this is a follow-up to the positive cases that are still increasing in the two locations involved.

"In Bentong Prison, a total of 767 COVID-19 positive cases were recorded with the last 13 positive cases reported on February 5, 2021.

"In Taiping Prison, a total of 112 positive COVID-19 cases were recorded while the remaining 40 screening samples are awaiting results and there are still detainees with symptoms.

"After conducting a risk assessment with various agencies in the MCO Technical Committee, the government has agreed to extend the EMCO for another 14 days from 9 to 22 February 2021," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, EMCO in Jelebu Prison, Negeri Sembilan was terminated today as scheduled.

"The government had previously extended EMCO in the Transit Block (Muhasabah Block) Jelebu Prison, Negeri Sembilan and is scheduled to end on February 7, 2021.

"The MOH has confirmed that all 49 positive cases placed in the Transit Block (Muhasabah Block) have fully recovered and discharged and 69 detainees’ HSO have also expired," he said.