MIRI – The Sarawak government is adamant that it will not have the state under a full movement control order (MCO), despite recording two Covid-19 deaths and 512 infections today.
The move runs counter to Putrajaya’s decision yesterday for the MCO to be implemented nationwide.
The state Disaster Management Committee (DMC) said Sarawak will continue with the conditional MCO (CMCO).
“The state DMC held a meeting today, and decided that our CMCO will continue until May 17.
“We have infection circuit-breakers in place under our enhanced CMCO.
“Starting tomorrow, no dine-in is allowed at all eateries, including coffee shops. Only takeaways are allowed.”
The decision sees Sarawak joining Sabah, which yesterday said it will maintain the CMCO, but with tightened restrictions for social activities.
Sarawak’s move comes as a surprise, as the state has consistently been among the top three in terms of daily coronavirus infections and deaths.
All major hospitals in the state are seeing their intensive care units running at critical capacity, and cannot cope with serious Covid-19 spikes.
Sarawak logged two virus deaths today: a 63-year-old woman at Sibu Hospital, and a 64-year-old man at Kapit Hospital.
These bring the state’s overall fatalities to 211, said the state DMC, which conveyed its condolences to victims’ families.
Today also saw another Covid-19 explosion in Miri district, which registered 160 of the 512 fresh infections recorded statewide.
The other infections are in Bintulu (91), Subis (75), Sibu (47), Kuching (31), Beluru (21), Tebedu (13), Kanowit (12) and other districts (fewer than 10).
The state DMC said one new cluster was detected, in Kuching. The Bako Hilir cluster, involving a housing area, has 18 cases.
At present, Sarawak has 76 clusters.
The state DMC said three longhouses – Rumah Janggie in Betong, Rumah Mengga in Sibu and Rumah Sangga in Selangau – were today placed under lockdown due to surging infections.
It urged everyone in the state to obey the standard operating procedures to halt the spread of Covid-19.
State Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing, in a warning yesterday, said: “All our ICU wards at major government hospitals in Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintulu and Miri are operating at critical capacity already.
“We appeal to all to help reduce infections now. We cannot cope with a further serious increase.”
Police and local councils have stepped up enforcement against individuals flouting the enhanced SOPs in various districts, with dozens of compounds issued today.
The state DMC said the SOPs for this week’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration have also been tightened.
Family members can make house visits only on the first day of the festival, instead of the three allowed previously.
Sarawakians must be extra vigilant, said the state DMC, urging for the SOPs to be heeded without compromise. – The Vibes, May 11, 2021
