MIRI – The 14-day mandatory quarantine for those entering Sarawak applies even to people who have received the Covid-19 vaccine, said state Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing.
The quarantine is also required of inoculated individuals found to have been in close contact with coronavirus patients.
Dr Chin’s statement today comes after a state agency’s report that mandatory quarantine would no longer apply to people who have been vaccinated.
“Those entering Sarawak must still undergo the 14-day mandatory quarantine at designated centres, even if they have been vaccinated.
“Those in Sarawak who are already vaccinated, but found to be close contacts of Covid-19 cases, must also undergo the mandatory quarantine.”
He said workers already in the state and vaccinated need not observe isolation, unless they are close contacts.
State Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian recently said the compulsory quarantine imposed on all those entering Sarawak has prevented hundreds of imported infections.
The designated quarantine centres include hotels and homestays.
“Sarawak has recorded hundreds of new Covid-19 cases daily,” said Dr Sim.
“A majority of these carriers were detected at the quarantine centres.
“Though the mandatory quarantine causes inconvenience, it plays a crucial role in preventing more transmissions of the virus in society.
“It is because of mandatory quarantine that Covid-19 patients can be detected faster and given treatment, so that they do not infect their spouses, children, families, colleagues, friends and the public.”
Local transmissions are already very serious, he said, and compulsory isolation prevents the situation from getting worse.
There were thousands of people undergoing the 14-day quarantine throughout Sarawak as of yesterday evening.
However, calls have been made by politicians and businesses, among others, for the requirement to be lifted. – The Vibes, April 22, 2021
