SIBU – Economic activities in Sarawak are expected to resume when herd immunity is achieved after 80% of the people in the state have received their Covid-19 vaccine shots in the third week of August.
Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg said with herd immunity attained, the threat of Covid-19 infection will be reduced and the people will feel safer carrying out their economic activities as usual.
“Our benchmark is 80% (people vaccinated) and maybe then, the situation can return to normal,” he said after visiting an industry vaccination centre (PPV) at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here today.
However, he said the people will still have to adhere the standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as mask-wearing and practising personal hygiene in the new norm.
According to him, as at yesterday, 64% or 149,743 people in Sibu have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said about 13,000 industry workers, including those from shipping companies, wood-based and the plantation industries, will receive vaccine jabs at the UCTS PPV from Monday.
He said the centre, which is capable of administering 2,000 shots daily, will be opened to the public after all industry workers have received their first dose.
Abang Johari had earlier launched two buses for the Covid-19 outreach vaccination programme, which are part of the four mobile teams in Sibu to venture into targeted locations to vaccinate the elderly and bedridden individuals who cannot get to PPVs.
PPVs in Sibu now comprise Sibu Hospital, Kanowit Hospital. Sibu Jaya Health Clinic, Lanang Health Clinic, Selangau Health Clinic, Sibu Indoor Stadium, Sibu Jaya Multipurpose Hall and the Kanowit District Office Hall, all operated by the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Rejang Medical Centre will hold a PPV at Dewan Suarah Sibu and KPJ Medical Specialist Centre will hold a PPV at its premises while seven medical practitioners have been approved to hold PPVs at their respective premises around Sibu. – Bernama, June 30, 2021
