{"id":3940,"date":"2020-05-21T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T02:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newmalaysiatimes.com\/?p=3940"},"modified":"2020-05-21T10:46:31","modified_gmt":"2020-05-21T02:46:31","slug":"despite-ban-many-still-stubbornly-attempt-to-balik-kampung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newmalaysiatimes.com\/?p=3940","title":{"rendered":"Despite ban, many still stubbornly attempt to \u2018Balik Kampung\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 – Several warnings have been issued by the authorities that the interstate travel ban is still in force\u00a0to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.<\/p>\n

However, many have stubbornly ignored this warning by cooking up all sorts of excuses\u00a0to return to their hometowns, especially for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations.<\/p>\n

According to statistics, on Tuesday, the drivers of 3,212 vehicles were caught attempting to cut across the state lines to\u00a0\u2018balik kampung\u2019 (return\u00a0to hometown) and ordered to turn around by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has once again reminded the public that interstate travel was still prohibited except for emergency cases or work purposes which need to be approved by the police.<\/p>\n

It is undeniably difficult for single people living in the city to celebrate\u00a0Aidilfitri away from the loved ones, while parents in the village have to spend the holidays without their children and grandchildren.<\/p>\n

However, sacrifices have to be made to ensure\u00a0the country is free from the COVID-19 pandemic as no effective vaccine has\u00a0so far been\u00a0developed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Meanwhile,\u00a0Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has expressed concern over the possibility of a new outbreak which would lead to the rise of the COVID-19 positive cases after the Aidilfitri celebrations, if the public do not comply with the interstate travel ban.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf possible, don\u2019t \u2018balik kampung\u2019, stay at home and celebrate Aidilfitri in private and avoid visiting each other.<\/p>\n

The case of a pregnant woman, who travelled all the way from a red zone in Ampang,\u00a0Kuala Lumpur to her hometown in a green zone in Kelantan as she wanted to give birth in the state, only to be tested positive for COVID-19\u00a0there,\u00a0should serve as a lesson so that nobody repeats the mistake.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Dr Noor Hisham said the Ministry of Health is currently detecting the woman\u2019s close contacts.<\/p>\n

– BERNAMA<\/p>\n

PHOTO CREDIT BERNAMA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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