MIRI – The Sarawak government will be closing all schools in Covid-19 red zones for two weeks beginning tomorrow.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said the state Disaster Management Committee and Education Department have deliberated the matter as there are fresh infections among students, their parents and teachers.
“There are cases of students being infected and then infecting their families, and also cases of teachers infecting students. Starting tomorrow, all schools in districts listed as Covid-19 red zones will be closed for two weeks.
“Hopefully, this will break the chain of infection that is spreading now,” he told a press conference in his Kuching office.
Out of the 40 districts in the state, 18 are listed as red zones, and inter-district travel has been tightened with immediate effect.
Only personnel categorised as working in essential services are allowed to operate and cross districts, but they will have to secure police permits before their travel date, Abang Johari said, adding that a blanket movement control order (MCO) cannot be imposed as that would disrupt the economy.
“We opt for targeted MCO in specific zones where infections are serious.”
In Miri, more than 400 schoolchildren have been affected with the coronavirus, said divisional Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Lee Kim Shin during an internal meeting yesterday.
“Out of the 3,253 total Covid-19 cases in Miri, 13% are in the schoolgoing age category.”
Miri, Kuching, Sibu and Bintulu are the worst-hit urban districts, where Covid-19 surges are seen daily.
It is learnt the schools that reported fresh infections are located inside the city limit as well as in the outskirts. – The Vibes, April 19, 2021
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