Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made on the advice of the health ministry, following a surge in Covid-19 cases in the centre within a short period of time.

In a statement, Ismail said the health ministry had conducted 1,251 screenings in the centre as of Dec 19, with 133 testing positive.

“The EMCO will involve 771 people, comprising 603 detainees and 168 staff as well as family members,” he said.

Ismail added that the EMCO rules are the same as with any other areas under strict lockdowns. Family member visits will be banned for the next two weeks.

On the daily enforcement against those who committed MCO-related offences, Ismail said 239 people were arrested by police yesterday, out of whom 238 were issued compound fines and one remanded.

Among the offences were not wearing face masks, failure to provide materials for contact tracing and registration, failure to practise physical distancing and taking part in activities at entertainment centres.

A total of 2,683 compliance task force teams were deployed to conduct checks on supermarkets, restaurants, hawker stalls, factories, banks, government offices, as well as land, water and air transport terminals.

Ismail also said police detained 25 undocumented migrants and confiscated three vehicles under Ops Benteng.

He added that 89,787 people had arrived through KLIA between July 24 and Dec 20 from various countries.

A total of 532 people tested positive and were sent to hospital for treatment, while 81,411 have been allowed to return home.

Some 7,844 people are currently undergoing mandatory quarantine.