KOTA KINABALU – Sabah today refuted rumours that the state will be placed under a total lockdown soon, but said the option may be taken should the Covid-19 crisis get even worse.
Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, the state’s spokesman on coronavirus matters, echoed what Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said earlier today in his daily update.
The National Security Council will consider all options, and look at the spread of Covid-19 in the country. We are not at that stage (total lockdown) yet. But it’s an option that can be considered,” Masidi told the press here this evening.
“We are open to any option that will flatten the curve.”
He said many factors need to be taken into consideration before a decision is made.
“There is much to consider, including the fact that not all of our people have fixed wages. Many are earning an income from their daily business activities.
“Aside from Covid-19, we also have to consider the economy. We haven’t recovered from the earlier movement control order.”
The state today recorded 643 of the country’s 865 new Covid-19 infections.
A lockdown will be imposed on Kepayan Prison, which has 135 cases, and its staff quarters in Matambai from Wednesday to November 3.
Masidi said all sports and recreational activities are still not permitted in Sabah.
On food aid for the poor and those under quarantine, he said distribution is going smoothly.
“To date, 57,329 food baskets have been distributed.” – The Vibes, October 19, 2020
