KOTA KINABALU – Sabah should impose a 14-day quarantine for those entering the state and heighten border controls to curb the spread of new Covid-19 variants, said Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin.
Chan said the Sabah government should consider his proposal, which was also put forward by Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali.
To date, only those entering Malaysia from nations that have reported cases of new Covid-19 variants have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Chan noted the South African B.1.351 variant has spread to states in Peninsular Malaysia, namely Selangor, Kelantan, Perak, Negri Sembilan, and Kedah.
Instances of the British B.1.1.7 variant and the Indian variant B.1.617 have also been reported in Peninsular Malaysia, he said.
“The number of new Covid-19 cases nationwide has been hovering around the 5,000 mark these few days.
“Although the recent number of Covid-19 cases in Sabah appears to be under control, the number of new cases daily is still in the double-digits.
“As such, we must always be vigilant and take precautions. The mutant viruses cannot be allowed to enter Sabah,” said Chan.
Chan said migrants from neighbouring areas could also bring in the new variants, adding that the authorities must heighten border controls.
He said the state’s healthcare system is vulnerable right now due to a lack of resources. – The Vibes, May 14, 2020
