SANDAKAN – Locals are furious with the National Security Council over the lack of details on the standard operating procedures (SOPs), with less than seven hours before the movement control order (MCO) is set to start.
Ho Ken Nyen, 26, said it is impossible to refer to the SOPs for the previous MCO because they were amended from time to time.
“Right now, business operators want to know if they can open tomorrow. People want to know if more than two people can be in the same car, and if supermarkets and wet markets can open.
“The MCO in March last year was different from the MCO in January this year, so which one is it going to be this time? We don’t know.
“My mother now doesn’t know whether she should stock up food supplies at home because she doesn’t know the SOPs. Shop operators don’t know if they will open tomorrow when it is almost night time now.
“Once the SOPs are out, it also takes time for it to reach the public. Some people, especially the older generation, rely on newspapers for such announcements – how are they going to comply with the SOPs if they only learn about it a day later?” he said.
Yesterday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced that Sandakan, which is currently under a recovery MCO, will be under MCO starting April 17 until 30.
Locals flocked the town since 6am today, possibly to stock up on foodstuff for sahur and the breaking of fast.
Traffic conditions returned to normal from about 1pm in town.
However, there was no sign of panic buying at supermarkets here.
Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee said locals have no choice but to refer to SOPs being implemented in Tawau and Lahad Datu, which are currently under MCO.
“This is annoying. We do not know what is taking them so long in developing this SOP, but the best that we can do now is refer to the SOPs adhered to in Tawau and Lahad Datu,” she said, adding that she hopes the SOPs will be announced by 6pm today.
Sandakan’s Covid-19 cases have spiked since yesterday, with three new clusters in two days, including one at a temporary detention centre in Jalan Sibuga with 55 new cases.
Sabah recorded 143 fresh infections today, with Sandakan recording 57 cases, followed by Tawau (35) and Lahad Datu (22).
Meanwhile, Lahad Datu’s MCO SOP includes:
- Only essential services personnel with an employer’s letter are allowed to leave and enter the district;
- Daily markets allowed to operate from 6am to 2pm;
- Prayers and activities in mosques and surau not open to the public;
- Schools are closed, except for students sitting major examinations;
- Registered kindergartens and nurseries (daycare centres) are allowed to operate;
- Restaurants and food premises can open for takeaways only from 6am to 8pm;
- Gas stations allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm;
- Grocery shops, convenience stores, mini markets, and hypermarkets allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm; and,
- All sports, recreational, social, tourism and cultural activities are not allowed. – The Vibes, April 16, 2021
