MIRI – As fears increase over the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak spiralling out of control, a minister has thrown his backing behind a widespread call by Sarawakians for a full-scale movement control order (MCO) to halt the health crisis.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said that from a medical point of view, a total MCO can be very effective in tackling the coronavirus spread.
“A strictest-level MCO can indeed be a circuit-breaker for Covid-19 transmission,” he said in his social media chat group today.
A qualified doctor, he said that Sarawak is seeing a daily average of between 50 to 100 people without symptoms being found infected with Covid-19.
He said contact tracing for all these cases over the past 14 days shows that they could have potentially infected thousands of people before they were found positive and isolated for treatment.
“This means that there are many more infected people walking around out there.
“There (is a possibility of) more clusters emerging soon,” he said. “A strictest MCO will be a circuit-breaker in halting transmission.”
Increasing number of Sarawakians are calling on state authorities to reimpose a total MCO throughout the vast state as Covid-19 infection surges continue.
Thousands of these concerned citizens have taken to social media platforms and chat groups in the past couple of days to express their views after the announcement that 555 new cases and three more deaths were confirmed in the state on Friday alone.
“The situation is getting worse and worse, so what are the policymakers in the state waiting for?
“It is obvious the only way to stop the infection spread is through another full-scale MCO,” said netizen Aizam Ali.
Another local, Alven Yap, said the state must impose a total lockdown that lasts at least two months.
“MCO for only two weeks is not enough. We must have total lockdown for two months at least,” he said.
Ainley Daud said state politicians must be courageous enough to make the most radical decision possible if they want to halt the spread of Covid-19 – and that means total lockdown across the state.
“Sarawak needs full MCO right now,” said Ainley.
They are among many who see a total MCO as the only way to tackle the coronavirus spread, since many Sarawakians have been uncooperative and disobedient in adhering to the standard operating procedures on wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing and personal hygiene.
State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also a deputy chief minister, had slammed Sarawakians who continue to defy SOPs during the worsening scenario.
“This worsening Covid-19 situation is happening because they refused to obey SOPs that are in place.
“If they continue like this, it will get even worse,” he had said at a press conference on Friday evening in his Kuching office.
There have been 124 Covid-19 deaths in Sarawak as of yesterday evening since the global pandemic began.
The number of infections has already breached 19,500.
The districts of Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Kuching are the worst-hit urban danger zones in Sarawak while Sri Aman, Meradong, Kapit and Sarikei are among the worst-affected rural districts.
Last week, all social activities in high-risk zones were banned.
Funerals can only proceed with permits from the district office. – The Vibes, April 11, 2021
