KOTA KINABALU – Sabahans have lauded the state government’s decision to allow inter-district travel in the state according to zones.
“Yes it is good that the government has lifted inter-district travel restrictions according to zones,” said Kota Kinabalu resident Ivy Yap.
“This is because many other areas are still red zones so the ban cannot be lifted completely, the move is also good for the economy.”
Another resident Beverly Tam also lauded the government’s move because it enabled people to work in different zones.
“Travel should be restricted between districts with high daily cases and lifted for districts with low daily cases,” said resident Pol Chin.
When asked if he would be taking the opportunity to travel tomorrow, Chin said that there was no urgent need to do so.
“In fact, I have been traveling across the district to Papar and Kota Belud quite a few times already using the company letter.
Alfred Petrus from Keningau said that despite the government allowing people to travel within different zones, what’s important was for everyone to continue abiding strictly to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Penampang resident Richard Gontusan also said he was in no hurry to travel around just yet and it was better to be cautious.
“I don’t think I’m doing any travelling tomorrow since some districts are still in the red.
“People are not disciplined enough to observe strict SOPs and numbers may rise again.
“Hence, the best way to contain the number of Covid-19 cases is to restrict people’s movements for now until all districts are safe,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Sabah government announced the lifting of the ban on inter-district travel in the state based on the six zones stipulated during the implementation of the recovery movement control order.
According to Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Masidi Manjun, the decision took account of medical science data, as well as advice from the Health Minitry.
He said inter-district travel was allowed within the stipulated zones except if a district was under the movement control order, where residents were only allowed to cross the border within the stipulated zone and not enter a district in another zone.
Zone 1 includes Kota Kinabalu district, Kota Belud, Ranau, Tuaran, Penampang, Putatan and Papar, while Zone 2 is Beaufort, Kuala Penyu and Sipitang.
This is followed by Zone 3 (Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas), Zone 4 (Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan and Tongod); Zone 5 (Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak and Kalabakan) and Zone 6 (Keningau, Tambunan and Tenom). – The Vibes, March 5, 2021
