KOTA KINABALU – The government needs to ensure stricter safety measures are in place with the scheduled reopening of schools and other education institutions nationwide on January 20.
Former Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Christina Liew said there must be stringent Covid-19 standard operating procedures in terms of physical distancing and good personal hygiene practices to avert a new wave of infections.
Speaking to reporters after handing out school bags to children last weekend, the Api Api rep said she is concerned about the deepening health crisis despite measures to curb the pandemic.
“We have read reports that the nation’s healthcare system is reaching a breaking point due to the escalating numbers. If we look at the statistics, we can see a continuing daily rise in Covid-19 cases in Sabah, in particular, in the wake of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“It’s one thing to establish SOPs for Covid-19, but it’s another to enforce the procedures effectively so that we can succeed in flattening the curve.”
She said parents, who are concerned about adequate safety precautions, are questioning whether the country is actually ready to reopen schools next week.
“Given the unprecedented devastation, we cannot afford to have a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections. If the government is going ahead with its plan to reopen schools on January 20, the priority should be ensuring that our children study in a Covid-19-free environment, without the potential threat of creating new clusters,” she said, adding that full compliance with health guidelines is vital.
Earlier, Liew visited a village in Papar to hand over school bags to families, following parents’ request for the items. She also gave out 200 calendars.
Other areas she visited include Sembulan, Likas, Inanam and Telipok, “in response to calls for help and contributions from affected residents”.
On January 14, Malaysia hit a record high of 3,337 cases, the highest since the pandemic began, reported Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He warned that the number of cases could reach 8,000 a day in March if the infectivity rate stays at 1.2.
Similarly, Sabah recently reported a record high of 514 new daily cases, said state Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. – The Vibes, January 16, 2021
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