MIRI – Despite another record day for Sarawak and three more virus variants found, the state has decided against the National Security Council’s (NSC) imposition of the movement control order (MCO) in five red zone districts.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas told a press conference in Kuching that the MCO is too difficult to enforce, thus not effective.
“The state Disaster Management Committee (DMC) has spoken to the NSC, saying that due to the size of our districts, we cannot effectively enforce an MCO.
“Previously, enforcement was difficult. We told NSC that instead of MCO, we will identify specific areas in high-risk districts for enhanced MCO (EMCO). We have directed the respective districts to identify these hotspots for an EMCO.”
Uggah said Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, and Meradong will see specific hotspots being placed under EMCO.
He added that come Monday (April 19), all social and physical meetings will be suspended for two weeks for the state.
Inter-district travel will be banned except for essential services.
Out of the 512 cases today, Bintulu district had the most cases (120), followed by Sibu (99), Subis (80), Kuching (56), Miri (31), Kapit (30), Meradong (29), Serian (22), Kanowit (10), and other districts (fewer than 10 cases each).
There were also two more deaths, bringing the toll to 135. The victims are a 61-year-old man in Bintulu Hospital and a 71-year-old man in Miri Hospital.
Meanwhile, state health authorities have found three more coronavirus variants.
State Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing said that in Kuching, the discovery of the variants was from tests carried out on those infected.
“The laboratory tests done by teams at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak campus found that the current wave of Covid-19 in Sarawak was due to three variants.
“The current vaccines we are using are effective against the variants. We have not detected the South African variant here.”
Chin said those vaccinated must continue to obey every standard operating procedure, including wearing masks, practice social distancing, and good personal hygiene.
Those vaccinated can still get infected and infect others, he added. – The Vibes, April 15, 2021
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