In a statement today, senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the EMCO, which was to end tomorrow, will be extended for another two weeks as there are still new Covid-19 infections being recorded.
Kota Setar includes the state capital of Alor Setar and Kuala Kedah, besides many of the major commercial areas in Kedah.
Ismail added that since the EMCO was announced in the 28 subdistricts on May 17, a total of 1,367 of the 5,631 screenings conducted by the health ministry returned positive.
He also announced the enforcement of EMCOs in several states across the country which will run from June 2 to 15.
In Pahang, Kampung Pagi in Ulu Tembeling, Jerantut, will be placed under EMCO after the health ministry recorded a significant increase in positive cases within a week – 10 positive cases were recorded from 76 tests conducted – with a positivity rate of 13.2%.
In Perak, Felda Trolak Utara in Sungkai, Batang Padang, will be under EMCO after 16 of the 123 screenings returned positive.
Meanwhile in Sarawak, SK Stalon and 11 longhouses in Stalon, Tanjung Manis, will be under a lockdown after 21 positive cases were recorded from 97 screenings – with the health ministry reporting a positivity rate of 21.6%.
Two areas in Sabah will also be placed under EMCO; Kampung Kuala Menggatal in Kota Kinabalu and Jalan Klias 2 and Jalan Klias 3 in Kampung Klias Baru, Beaufort.
Ismail said the health ministry recorded 10 positive cases after conducting 102 tests in Kampung Kuala Menggatal, with a positivity rate of 9.80%.
A total of 20 positive cases were detected at Jalan Klias 2 and Jalan Klias 3 after 280 tests were conducted.
Ismail also announced that the EMCO at two localities in Kelantan – Kampung Pauh Lima in Banggu, Kota Bharu, as well as Kampung Pauh Lima in Gunong, Bachok – would come to an end tomorrow as scheduled.
Meanwhile, Ismail said police arrested 754 people yesterday over MCO-related offences.
Of that number, 746 were slapped with compound fines while eight were remanded.
The offences included failing to wear face mask (168), failing to observe physical distancing (145) and failing to register personal details prior to entering premises (109).
The authorities also arrested 38 illegal immigrants and seized seven vehicles yesterday as part of the ongoing Op Benteng.
Regarding the mandatory quarantines, Ismail said 215,492 people who arrived through KLIA were screened for Covid-19 from July 24 to May 30 and were placed under quarantine.
Some 2,272 tested positive for Covid-19 and were sent to hospital for treatment, while 204,092 have been allowed to return home.
A total of 9,128 people are undergoing mandatory quarantine.