SANDAKAN – As Sabah downgrades its movement control order (MCO) to a conditional movement control order (CMCO) starting tomorrow, the state government has called on the National Security Council (NSC) to consider allowing tourism operators in the state’s Covid-19 low-risk zones to reopen.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said he hopes that the federal government and the NSC will consider his appeal, as Sabah’s tourism sector has been badly affected by the MCO.
“Several districts in Sabah have seen a great decline in Covid-19 cases. Hence, as the minister in charge of tourism in Sabah, I appeal to the government to look into the possibility of easing travel restrictions in some parts of Sabah.
The tourism sector must be allowed to operate in low-risk areas because otherwise the tourism sector in Sabah will suffer even more, he said.
“Of course, the ministry will ensure that strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) are implemented,” he said at a press conference at the Sandakan Community Hall here today.
He said during the pandemic, tourist arrivals in Sabah has dived to 27% compared to previous years.
“This has greatly impacted Sabah’s economic power as we have lost billions of ringgit from this pandemic,” he added.
Sabah saw a significant reduction in new Covid-19 cases over the last two weeks, with 94 new cases recorded yesterday.
As at yesterday, out of the 27 districts, 13 are categorised as red zones (over 40 active Covid-19 cases), while seven are orange zones (21 to 40 cases), and seven are yellow zones (one to 20 cases). –The Vibes, February 18, 2021
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