MELAKA: The green zone of Melaka Hospital's emergency and trauma department will be closed from Monday (July 19) to manage Covid-19 cases more effectively.

       Melaka health and anti-drug committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said it would be temporarily relocated to Peringgit Health Clinic, about 1.5km from Melaka Hospital.

       "The decision to relocate the green zone was aimed at avoiding congestion at the Melaka Hospital as well as to avoid delays treating non-critical cases," he said on Sunday (July 18).

       Emergency department green zones are meant for less-complex conditions such as cuts, sprains or minor injuries.

       Rahmad said the operation hours of Peringgit Health Clinic would be extended to 9.30pm daily and on a 24-hour basis on public holidays.

       He said the Melaka Health Department also has 16 community clinics in the state.

       He also said the Batang Melaka community clinic would continue to operate as normal, as there is a high volume of people seeking treatment at the clinic," he added.