TUARAN – Village heads in Tuaran are urging the authorities, especially police, to intensify patrolling in the villages to ensure residents comply with the standard operating procedures during the movement control order to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Kg Pinagon Baru head Martin Lotupas said the villagers’ adherence to the SOPs had increasingly slackened due to less patrolling and monitoring by the authorities over time.
“There will be increased adherence to the SOPs if there is constant monitoring by police, as they fear being fined for violations,” he said today.
Martin said villagers were still gathering in groups even after being repeatedly advised against it by the village heads concerned.
Yesterday, 348 new cases of the viral infection were recorded in Sabah, bringing the cumulative number to 47,139 while the MCO, scheduled to end today, has been extended to February 4.
Meanwhile, Lokub village head Unus Limus said more frequent patrolling by police was needed to curb social activities involving groups of people gathering in the villages.
“I have seen patrolling being conducted by the authorities such as police, but it should be more frequent for increased compliance with the SOPs by residents.
“New clusters have been reported at a number of villages in Sabah resulting from social activities and we don’t want this to happen in this district,” he said.
Kg Pinahawon head Misson Madamin said that despite police patrolling and monitoring, villagers needed to cooperate on their part by strictly following the SOPs set.
“Besides always reminding my village residents not to gather in big groups, I have placed a signboard informing outsiders that they cannot enter this village without any urgent purpose,” he said. – Bernama, January 26, 2021
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