COVID-19: Why doesn’t Muhyiddin Yassin wear a wristband while under home quarantine?

During yesterday’s address to the nation, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was spotted without a wrist band while under home quarantine. Several netizens have highlighted the lack of the pink tag that’s issued by the Ministry of Health to individuals that have received a Home Surveillance Order (HSO).

The Prime Minister through his office has issued a statement in response to the concerns made online. According the statement, Muhyiddin Yassin was not provided with a wrist band by the Ministry of Health (MOH). Based on the assessment by MOH, the Prime Minister will undergo self-quarantine and will conduct self-health monitoring for 14 days. Therefore, he isn’t required to wear a wristband.

It also clarified that the Prime Minister has not breached any orders by the Ministry of Health as alleged by some quarters.

The statement also highlighted that the Prime Minister had recently tested for COVID-19 on 5th October and the results returned negative yesterday. Prior to that, he was also tested negative on the 22nd, 26th and 29th of September. The Prime Minister will seek immediate medical attention if he starts to show symptoms during the 14-day period.

The Prime Minister and another cabinet members were placed under quarantine after Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad had tested positive for COVID-19. As a safety precaution, all close contact individuals that have attended the special National Security Council meeting on 3rd October must be placed under home quarantine.

According to the statement released by the Health Director General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah on the 5th of October, all identified close contacts during the meeting are given an HSO and must wear a surveillance wristband. For those considered non-close contact who have attended the meeting are not given an HSO but are advised to self-monitor themselves for 14 days.

Muhyiddin Yassin had issued a statement echoing the same orders by the Ministry of Health on the 5th of October. He also mentioned that he will self-quarantine.

From the latest statement, it appears that Muhyiddin Yassin wasn’t considered a “close-contact” and there’s no mention that he was served a Home Surveillance Order (HSO). Based on photos taken at the NSC meeting on Saturday, Muhyiddin was seated at the opposite side of the meeting table away from Zulkifli Mohamad.

Muhyiddin Yassin has said that he will continue to perform his official duties from home and will attend necessary meetings via video conferencing.

[ SOURCE , IMAGE SOURCE ]

Related reading