Malaysia to start using electronic trackers for individuals under home quarantine

The Ministry of Health will start using electronic trackers for those under home quarantine, as part of a pilot project. According to Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force (GKV STF) chairman Dr. Chong Chee Kheong, the trackers will be fitted on 1,000 individuals arriving in Malaysia who will be allowed to undergo quarantine at home.

“Electronic trackers would be used to help the Health Ministry track individuals travelling from other countries, or close contacts, and individuals with temporary symptoms as they await COVID-19 test results,” he said during a press conference.

The pilot project will be “outsourced” as installation and monitoring services will be done entirely by a private company. The electronic trackers will monitor and spot violations made by those in home quarantine, and enforcement will be carried out by both the Health Ministry and the Royal Malaysian Police.

“Through the implementation of this quarantine control system, individuals can be monitored more effectively and at the same time the individual’s health information can be obtained and recorded digitally,” Dr. Chong Chee Kheong said.

While the electronic trackers are just being introduced in small quantities for now, Dr. Chong Chee Kheong said that a total of 30,000 trackers will be implemented. Currently, GKV STF said that they are monitoring 80,000 positive cases every day. 50% of them are Category 1, 30% of them are Category 2, and the other 20% of them have warning signs.

Starting from 10 August, fully vaccinated Malaysians and Permanent Residents are allowed to be quarantined at home. Previously, all incoming travellers are required to undergo quarantine at designated hotels or quarantine centres, regardless of vaccination status.

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