MIRI – The 14-day mandatory quarantine imposed on those entering Sarawak have played an integral part in preventing imported Covid-19 cases in the state.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said despite the ruling being inconvenient to certain quarters, it is crucial, to curb the pandemic.
“Sarawak recorded 443 new Covid-19 cases yesterday and out of this number, 351 were detected at quarantine centres.
“Even though the mandatory quarantine causes inconvenience, it plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
“It is because of this that those with Covid-19 can be detected faster and treated so that they do not infect their spouses, children, families, colleagues, friends, and society at large,” he said.
On Saturday, 216 positive cases were detected at the quarantine centres statewide.
The daily figures were similar in recent weeks.
As of yesterday evening, there are 6,711 people undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine throughout Sarawak.
A petition has been made for the Sarawak government to scrap the quarantine as it is seen as burdensome.
The petition states that most Sarawakians, whether working in government or the private sector, have not been able to return to their families for a long time since the pandemic hit the country.
Hotels, motels, apartments and homestays are being used as quarantine centres.
Those entering Sarawak via airports, seaports and land are taken to these quarantine centres, where they are required to undergo Covid-19 swab tests on the second and 10th days of their 14-day stay.
Those who are found positive are immediately sent to the nearest hospital. – The Vibes, April 12, 2021
