MIRI – About a million Dayaks in Sarawak are not allowed to balik kampung for the Gawai harvest festival early next month.
The state Disaster Management Committee secretariat today issued an enhanced movement control directive banning inter-district and interstate travel during the celebration in view of the worsening Covid-19 crisis.
“No travel between districts or between zones is allowed for the coming Gawai festival. Families can only celebrate within their households, and only on June 1.
“They are not allowed to carry out any Gawai visits or open houses.”
Gawai starts on June 1, and traditionally lasts for one month.
The secretariat called on celebrants to adhere to all the standard operating procedures in place.
Sarawak has seen a stretch of triple-digit daily infections, and the emergence of the South African variant and several local mutations of the coronavirus in the cities of Kuching, Miri and Sibu.
On May 19, the state recorded a record-high seven deaths, bringing its toll to 239.
The state has a cumulative 39,500 cases thus far. – The Vibes, May 21, 2021
