By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, April 4: Authorities have picked up 10 homeless people including three women around the city, who will be housed at a temporary shelter, to protect them from the Covid-19 outbreak.
Miri Welfare officer Lau Ngee Wei said the individuals were picked up from at eight locations around the city, during the operation that started at 10am today.
They will be housed at the hall of the Malaysia Red Crescent Society, Miri chapter, at Jalan Bulan Sabit here. Similar operations were also carried out in Bekenu and Marudi.
The Welfare Department with five other strategic partners including the police, People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), Miri City Council, Health Department and the National Anti-Drugs Agency took part in the operations.
“The individuals, upon their arrival at the centre, are subjected to Covid-19 testing before they can be accommodated. So far, none of them were tested positive.
“While staying at the temporary shelter, all the homeless will be provided with food,” he told reporters when met at the centre.
A total of 15 partition tents provided by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) were set up for the homeless occupying the temporary relief centre during the movement control order (MCO), which ends April 14.
The MCO is currently at its second stage of implementation nationwide to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“During today’s operation, it was not an easy task to persuade some of the homeless to come to the centre. Some refused, although they eventually agreed to follow after being told that it was for their own good and safety.
“Most of the homeless were not aware of the Covid-19 outbreak,” Lau said. — DayakDaily
