To contain the deadly Covid-19 pandemic in specific locations, the government announced an enhanced movement control order (EMCO), where all persons within the coverage area, whether locals or foreigners, are confined indoors while outsiders are barred from entry, with all entry points blocked.
A necessary public health measure
With the coming into effect of the movement control order (MCO) from March 18, many found themselves hurrying back to their kampungs and hometowns. I myself was in the midst of flying from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur, my second home, just as the MCO had commenced.
As the use of an enhanced MCO (EMCO) began to arise, I witnessed the complete lockdown of neighbouring buildings along Jalan Munshi Abdullah and a few blocks behind in the Masjid India neighbourhood, after some were detected positive for Covid-19.
It was the third imposition of an EMCO in Malaysia after certain areas in Johor and Selangor. Never did it occur to me that my own public movement was to be further restrained, as the building I was residing in happened to fall within the 1km radius of the EMCO’s coverage in central Kuala Lumpur.
On the evening of April 15, army personnel began erecting barricades and checkpoints outside, which would remain until May 3. A fellow resident and I will relate what life was like under more than two weeks of an EMCO.
Firstly, what does an EMCO involve?
As with many fellow residents, we initially thought that the situation would not be much different from the general MCO, but were soon proven wrong. It is an entirely different animal.
Under an EMCO, all persons within the coverage area, whether locals or foreigners, are confined indoors while outsiders are barred from entry, with all entry points blocked.
Lines of barbwire sprung up all around our building, with the use of yellow police tape and the main entrance doors chained up to further control exit and entry. Stepping even a foot outside these borders would be considered breaking the law. Members of the police, civil defence and military were on constant standby to ensure that we adhered to the EMCO rules 24/7. There were also road blocks placed in the area.
We could not go out for whatever reason, be it personal or practical. No more grocery shopping and any food deliveries had to be done within specific schedules. No trips were allowed to the ATM no matter how one might plead with the supervising authorities. Should one be feeling sick, medical treatment would have to come to them rather than the opposite. One resident was even in despair as there was no way to attend a relative’s funeral at the time.
Literally speaking, we were prisoners in our own units. For some, a heightened fear of the Covid-19 might sink in. The corridors were quiet and when taking the lifts down, we wore our masks and there was a certain tendency to look at one another cautiously. Only four people at a time per lift was allowed but we were fortunate that our building had lesser residents than others. To facilitate communications, a Whatsapp group which included all residents was created and administered.
How did we cope?
It was not difficult for me to adapt to my ‘locked in’ situation, as it somewhat reminded me of my younger days in England when extreme winters arrived and we’d be stuck indoors. I was still able to carry out my usual work online and communicate with clients and family back in Kuching.
Habibah, who originates from Labuan but has worked in Kuala Lumpur for ten years, related that she is accustomed to independent and digital living. Being relatively young, healthy, still employed and fully paid, working from home is nothing new to her. In fact, her employers encouraged it and prioritise the welfare of employees. Hence, the transition from MCO to EMCO was not a major challenge.
“In short, I’m already in optimal conditions and have an excellent support system to help me throughout the EMCO period. But it’s definitely not the same story for everyone. Not everyone is as privileged, and it’s only right that I also try to help my fellow residents as much as I can, to alleviate some of their difficulties during the EMCO”, said Habibah.
What about food?
Besides free cooked meals three times per day, which are managed and distributed by volunteers and welfare personnel at the residences’ lobby, there were also essential food supplies courtesy of sponsors. I was even surprised by a late evening visit to my unit and to be given rice, fresh poultry meat, eggs, milk, cabbage, potatoes and onions.
We take this opportunity here to thank the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and other individuals, who had ensured that all of the residents’ meals and basic necessities were addressed during the period.
Was there compulsory testing?
We found out that one person had gone to an infected building nearby before the EMCO and although tested as negative, was taken away for observation.
On April 17, the second day of the EMCO, medical personnel began knocking on doors in order to notify us to assemble in the lobby at certain times. About 150 of us were instructed to undergo our first ever screening for Covid-19. Forms were filled up and orders given as we lined up for our turns. The medical front liner attending to me happened to be from Miri and asked questions such as whether I had been travelling or was recently ill, before a throat swab was obtained for testing.
The results would be known in three days and receiving no calls would mean that one has been tested negative. A second round of testing then followed on April 25. This time, it was a prick on a finger and a small drop of blood taken, with the results known within minutes. There was indeed wide relief that evening, as we were informed that no residents were found positive after both the swab and blood tests.
Medical front liners in PPE suits during our first round of testing for Covid-19, which used throat swabs. 
Orderly social distancing in the apartment lobby as residents complied with health screening requirements. 
Residents addressing questions and confirming personal details with medical personnel.
Overall, did we think that the EMCO was well handled?
Communication, coordination and context are imperative when it comes to an EMCO. These are taken as a given for any form of crisis management, but are even more so when it involves the control and supervision of hundreds and thousands in their homes over the span of weeks. In the midst of an EMCO, it is essential that the persons subjected are treated with transparency, provided assurance in terms of welfare and are able to easily reach out for further help if needed.
As Habibah puts it, “I consider our building to be very fortunate in terms of EMCO handling, because we have an outstanding volunteer team stepping up for coordination and communication. We can’t also discount the fact that our apartment building has a significantly lower resident population, which contributed to the consistently well-managed coordination with the authorities from Day One. From the news, it seems that other EMCO areas and buildings are not so fortunate in this aspect.”
Even though it may sound rather daunting at first, an EMCO is a necessary public health measure in such times. It is fundamental for the authorities to also have all the procedures and support systems in place right from the very beginning, to ensure that none would be neglected or compromised during the operation of an EMCO. Of particular consideration are families with children, senior citizens, people with underlying health issues and other vulnerable individuals, for whom dealing with an EMCO may not be simple.
Yours truly would like to conclude by expressing a heartful thank you to the various volunteers, medical and security personnel involved for their support and assurance as well as her fellow residents for their cooperation.
