KUALA LUMPUR (June 13): Malaysians returning from abroad who have been screened for Covid-19 at the country's entry points will be fitted with a wristband (see pic) that they must wear throughout their home-quarantine period.

It is an offence to take off this wristband prior to the conclusion of the quarantine and actions can be taken against them, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement today.

"The wristband can only be removed by the officer authorised to do so after the home supervision and observation period," he said.

Besides the wristband, they will also be issued a home supervision and observation order letter and a home assessment tool form.

"This home supervision and observation order is a directive issued under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342), whereby an individual found in violation of the directive can be subject to punishment under Section 24 of Act 342," Noor Hisham said.

Under Section 24, anyone found guilty of an offence under the act for which no specific penalty is provided can be liable to a prison term of not more than two years or a fine, or both, for the first offence. A second or subsequent offence carries a jail term of not more than five years or a fine, or both.

Meanwhile, Noor Hisham said the returnees will also be required to download the MySejahtera application. The app was developed by the government to help manage the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia. It has real-time updates on the number of active, recovered, and fatal cases, and keeps track of hotspots and high-risk zones.

"The MoH (Ministry of Health) would like to remind those who have been placed under the home supervision and observation order to always adhere to the instructions given by the MoH," he said.

These include staying home during the stipulated period and isolating oneself from one's family members to prevent the possible risk of infection, and always practise good personal hygiene like washing your hands with soap or hand sanitiser, he added.