KOTA KINABALU – The standard operating procedures in Sabah allowing only fully vaccinated individuals to enter supermarkets, hypermarkets and food outlets are only reminders for now.
State Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said for the time being, the SOPs are still at an early stage, and people will not be penalised if they fail to comply.
“The SOPs are more in ‘educational’ and ‘reminder’ forms; not to penalise. We hope that everyone involved in the sector will acquire full vaccination within a month. The SOPs will be fully enforced after that,” he said in a statement last night.
Masidi said the state government is aware that a lot of operators and staff of supermarkets, hypermarkets and eateries have not completed their vaccination regimen.
He advised everyone to visit the nearest vaccination centre to get inoculated. Those in Kota Kinabalu district can get their jabs at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
“With the high daily Covid-19 cases in Sabah, the government has to take any step necessary to contain the virus. The SOPs aim to create a healthy and safe environment for businesses, and to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading in restaurants, supermarkets and hypermarkets.”
The state security council has announced revised SOPs that let only fully vaccinated customers and staff enter supermarket, hypermarket and eatery premises.
Sabah registered 1,654 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, a drop from the previous day’s 2,052.
Kota Kinabalu continues to top the list with 351 fresh infections, followed by Tawau (210), Penampang (204), Sandakan (116), Kota Belud (107), Papar and Tuaran (101 each), and Keningau (100).
Another 15 coronavirus deaths were recorded in the state, led by Kota Kinabalu with six, followed by Tawau and Sandakan (3 each).
All 27 districts in Sabah are categorised as red zones, a designation for areas with over 40 active Covid-19 cases. –The Vibes, August 14, 2021
