KOTA KINABALU: Ten of the 69 people who had fled from their village at Kampung Pondo in Pulau Gaya to avoid being tested and quarantined for Covid-19 were recaptured by police on Wednesday.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the 69 people had fled from their village after they were believed to have came in close contact with Covid-19 patients.
“They (69 people) were supposed to follow health officials for further swab tests and quarantine, but when authorities arrived at Kg Pondo on Tuesday (July 6) to bring them to a quarantine and treatment centre, they were nowhere to be found.
“A search was immediately mounted and we managed to recapture 10 of them at their work places,” he said, adding that the 10 were fishmongers and market workers.
Hazani said security forces were searching for the remaining 59, both on land and at sea.
“We have intensified patrol operations along the main routes from the water village but because this area is vast, it is difficult to search for them,” he said, adding that the police have mobilised teams to monitor the area round the clock for any sign of the escapees.
Hazani also issued a warning to the escapees to return to the island and report to the authorities if they do not want to face legal action.
Kg Pondo is among four villages within Pulau Gaya which will be under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) starting July 8.
The other three villages are Kg Kasuapan, Kg Lok Urai and Kg Pulau Gaya.
There are currently 215 Covid-19 cases reported in the areas as of July 6.