China visitors to S’wak positive for Covid-19 despite holding jab passports

MIRI – A group of China nationals who arrived at Kuching International Airport recently were found to be infected with the coronavirus, despite them carrying Covid-19 vaccination passports.

Sarawak Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state is starting to see imported cases among foreigners who are supposed to have been vaccinated against the virus in their home countries.

“We in Sarawak have detected cases involving several persons from China who arrived in Kuching from mainland China,” he said in an update on social media.

“These Chinese citizens told authorities in Kuching that they have been vaccinated twice in China, but they are still required to undergo compulsory quarantine at designated centres in Kuching and PCR swab tests.

“That was when they were found positive for Covid-19, even though they have Covid-19 vaccination passports.

“They said they received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in China last year.

“They were found positive for Covid-19 because of the mandatory quarantine and PCR swab tests in Sarawak.”

Dr Sim said these cases demonstrate that the vaccination passport is not the same as an “immunity passport”, and stressed that foreigners entering the state are tightly screened.

There is a real danger of these visitors bringing the virus, including its mutations, into Sarawak, he said.

He warned that those who have been administered vaccines – even both doses – are still at risk of contracting the disease and becoming carriers of the virus.

Jabs help prevent a severe form of Covid-19 and reduce the fatality risk, he said, but they do not offer total protection against infection.

Dr Sim said vaccinated individuals must still observe new-normal practices, including social distancing, wearing a mask and maintaining good hygiene.

Sarawak yesterday logged 385 fresh infections, the highest among all states.

As of yesterday, it had a total of 114 virus deaths and some 18,000 cases since the pandemic began. – The Vibes, April 7, 2021