MIRI – The government has issued an advisory for Sarawakians with health issues, as well as children, to stop frequenting shopping areas and other public places given the worsening Covid-19 situation.
The advisory is among the updated measures under enhanced standard operating procedures in place until June 7, with the possibility of an extension.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (DMC) has extended the state’s conditional movement control order, which had been due to end today, until the abovesaid date.
“To prevent the further community spread of Covid-19, high-risk individuals with health ailments, and children, are discouraged from going out to crowded public places,” said the advisory.
Tourism and leisure centres throughout the state are also barred from operating.
Seminars, workshops, conferences, group meetings and training courses, too, are prohibited.
The state DMC said Sarawak divisions have come up with enhanced SOPs suited to their areas, to be added to the measures applicable statewide.
Sarawak’s Covid-19 death toll hit 225 yesterday, with the number of infections at 39,000.
The Miri DMC has issued an advisory for people to stop bringing children to busy shopping malls.
Its head, Datuk Lee Kim Shin, in a statement said the committee is worried upon finding kids continuing to play and run around in malls despite the coronavirus threat.
“Parents must exercise extreme precautions during this time when infections are still so high.
“There have been cases of parents bringing their families to crowded shopping malls and letting their children run around, often without wearing a mask.
“During times like this, the best place for all is still the home.
“Do not bring your children out unless it is really necessary.”
Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, said Miri was once a green zone, but has become the district with the highest surge in infections in Sarawak.
He urged people to cooperate with state authorities in the fight to contain Covid-19.
The Miri City Council has imposed a 50% limit on the number of people allowed in a shopping complex, based on its capacity.
The enhanced SOP covers all shopping malls, supermarkets and department stores, it said.
“We allow shopping premises to continue to operate, but on the condition that there must be a 50% limit on the number of shoppers allowed inside.”
It said recreational and sports activities conducted individually are allowed, but not group ones.
There is a statewide ban on seminars, meetings, conferences, training workshops and similar gatherings at venues like hotels, community halls, convention centres, and public and private offices.
Those out in public cannot be in a group exceeding five people, and must maintain physical distancing.
Also prohibited from operating are massage, karaoke and other entertainment centres.
Sarawak continues to record more Covid-19 clusters, infections and fatalities, with its worst-hit urban districts being Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. – The Vibes, May 18, 2021
