KUALA LUMPUR — Putrajaya has banned inter-district travel in Sabah, effective from Saturday (Oct 3), to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state, said Malaysia's senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The travel restriction will take effect from Oct 3 to 16.

Mr Ismail Sabri, however, said inter-district travel for food and medical supplies, security and other necessities will be allowed during this period.

He also said that those who are quarantined and those ending their quarantine during this period will be allowed to return to their respective districts.

They also will be allowed to return to the peninsula, Sarawak and Labuan.

He added that the administrative targeted enhanced movement-control order (Temco) in four districts in the state will remain in place during this period.

Lahat Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna were put under Temco on Sept 29, following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The Temco will last until Oct 12.

The four districts placed under Temco are red zones, while 15 districts are classified as yellow zones and the remaining seven districts in Sabah are green zones.

The Malaysian health ministry classifies districts according to green (zero cases), yellow (one to 40 cases) and red (41 and above) based on active infectious cases, not including imported cases.

Malaysia on Thursday recorded 260 new coronavirus cases, its biggest daily spike in infections since June 4, mostly due to an outbreak in Sabah state on Borneo island. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT