MIRI – Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing wants a curb on public movement after 8pm every day, as the Covid-19 pandemic has hit children, even as young as 3-years-old.
The Progressive Democratic Party president wants drastic curfew-like public movement restrictions in his constituency as the number of coronavirus infections in Bintulu hit the 162-mark yesterday, a record-high daily increase.
“I have spoken to the Bintulu Disaster Management Committee about imposing very strict enhanced standard operating procedures (SOPs) starting tomorrow (April 25),” Tiong said when discussing about the latest coronavirus situation in Bintulu division over his social media chat groups today.
“Tough enforcement is being planned against those found loitering in public after 8pm without good reason.
“We have no choice but to be extra strict in order to stop the infection surge.”
Tiong said he is saddened by the swift spread of Covid-19 in Bintulu and in Sarawak in recent weeks.
“The youngest to be infected in Bintulu so far is a 3-year-old, and many are suffering in the hospital after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
“They are enduring a lot of pain now, and they must be regretting the choices they made that may have led to the infections.
“We will have to be extra strict, and the public must give their cooperation. Stay home, go out only if needed. If they go out after 8pm without valid reasons, they will be in trouble,” he said.
Tiong said businesses must also be compelled to shut at 8pm, where the enhanced SOPs may be announced tomorrow, he said.
Sarawak recorded a high increase of cases yesterday by 717 new Covid-19 infections, plus two new deaths that included a 31-year-old young man in Miri Hospital without any co-morbidity.
The other death is that of a 69-year-old woman in Sibu Hospital bringing the total death toll to 148 as of yesterday evening.
Out of the 717 new positive cases yesterday, Sibu district recorded the most (165), followed by Bintulu (162), Kuching (57), Saratok (45, Meradong (44), Miri (40), Subis (38), Kapit (31), Mambong (28), and many other districts (below two dozen cases each).
Bintulu is already seeing tougher entry checks imposed on outsiders from other districts travelling into or passing through Bintulu. – The Vibes, April 24, 2021
