KOTA KINABALU – About a million people in Sabah’s west coast districts today started to observe the inter-district movement control order (MCO) after a spike in Covid-19 cases after the state election two weeks ago.
Traffic in state capital Kota Kinabalu is subdued as most Sabahans have chosen to stay at home, a stark contrast to the usual weekend crowd that throngs the malls and restaurants.
Many told The Vibes they prefer to comply with the stay-at-home protocol despite today being a public holiday – state governor’s birthday – for the state.
Edmund Ronald, 40, from Taman Pantai Lokkawi in Papar, said he is tending to his garden while his wife and daughter are out shopping for groceries.
“My concern is come Monday when I have to send my daughter to school in Tg Aru in Kota Kinabalu. She’s studying in Stella Maris where I have to drive through Putatan to Kota Kinabalu.
“I’m not certain how I am going to explain to the authorities if there is a roadblock. The other thing is the traffic (congestion) caused by police roadblocks. This means I have to leave early so I won’t be caught in the jam.”
Edmund works as a civil servant near the state administrative complex in Likas, Kota Kinabalu.
In a bind
An indecision by the state Disaster Management Committee on the SOP for inter-district MCO has left many confused and anxious over the implementation of the new travel restriction.
Owner of Borhans Kebab in Sejati Walk Mile 7, Burhan Rustam, said he is shocked to find the inter-district SOP posted on the National Security Council’s (NSC) Facebook page is the same as the MCO implemented in March.
“My business is not ready to close and only do deliveries on such short notice. I’m relieved when I was told that the SOP posted was a mistake.
“However, the inter-state MCO opens the possibility of a lockdown in Sabah, especially on the east coast.
“Of course, we are worried it (MCO) will happen. I’m just trying to get back on our feet after the serious financial damage to our business in the past months.”
SOP confusion
Unclear instructions on movement of drivers are worrying many Sabahans. Authorities earlier allowed movement of drivers in Penampang, Putatan, Tuaran and Kota Kinabalu but later said drivers need to produce letters from employers before being allowed to pass police roadblocks.
After public outcry, the matter was resolved as Penampang, Putatan, Tuaran and Kota Kinabalu are placed in the same zone, lifting travel restrictions in the four districts.
However, those from Papar, Kota Belud and adjacent districts still need to produce said letters before entering Kota Kinabalu.
Even so, only those working in essential services such as food delivery and healthcare, and those in need of medical treatment or funeral arrangement are allowed to travel.
Putrajaya yesterday announced an inter-district travel ban in Sabah, from October 3 to 16.
The Education Ministry said some 205 schools in Semporna, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Kinabatangan will be closed up to 14 days. There are 50 schools in Semporna, 53 in Lahad Datu, Tawau (83), Kunak (18) and Kinabatangan (one).
Authorities have imposed the targeted enhanced MCO in Semporna, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Kunak since September 30 due to a spike in Covid-19 cases.
A total of 155 new Covid-19 cases were detected in Sabah today, as the total number of cases passed 2,200. Many of the new cases are concentrated in Sabah’s east coast.
Businesses on edge
Business owners are lamenting having to go through another round of travel restrictions.
Accessory car shop owner in Putatan named Chong said he has customers and upfront orders from as far as Tuaran, Sipitang and Brunei.
But with the travel restriction, they are not able to come to Kota Kinabalu until the ban is lifted in another 14 days.
“I have bills and salaries to pay. I’m trying my best to stay afloat,” said Chong, who has been struggling since the first MCO in March.
He blamed the recent Sabah polls for the spike in Covid-19 cases.
Meanwhile in Sandakan, mini bus driver Parno Abdullah said he too is finding it hard to make ends meet when buses can only ferry half their usual load, in keeping with SOP.
He said his income has dropped from RM150 a day to RM70 since MCO, and now expects his earnings to drop further.
“A lot of people are waiting at the bus stops. But I cannot take all of them. I am still grateful that I am allowed to operate as it is my sole source of income,” he said. – The Vibes, October 3, 2020
This is reported by Jason Santos and Rebecca Chong.
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