MIRI – If Sarawak enters Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) tomorrow, the state will still need to strengthen existing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
This is due to the emergence of the contagious Delta variant, said state Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“The Delta variant is surging, especially in Kuching, Serian and Samarahan.
“Entering Phase 3 will see the opening up of more economic sectors and an increase in movement. This requires extreme caution, as it is still risky due to the spread of the virus.”
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had yesterday announced that Sarawak and two other states will be entering Phase 3 of the NRP on Wednesday.
Muhyiddin, in a Facebook post, said Perlis, Labuan and Sarawak are performing well in terms of curbing the spread of Covid-19, but reminded citizens to continue to follow SOPs.
Among Phase 3 rule relaxations is inter-district movement, which is currently restricted and requires a police permit to pass through roadblocks at district boundaries.
If Sarawak sees a surge of Delta variant cases, it will not be able to handle the outbreak, said Sarawak PKR vice-chairman Dr Michael Teo.
“Government leaders think that an increase in vaccination means we are safe to open up more social and economic activities. They are wrong.
“Vaccination does not equate to full protection from Covid-19, especially the Delta variant.
“If we open up our social and economic sectors too fast and too soon, there is a risk that we will see a quick spread of infection, one that cannot be controlled.”
Baram People’s Action Committee chairman Philip Jau said the vaccination drive has yet to finish in rural settlements.
“There are still many rural folk who are not yet fully vaccinated. We are still seeing infections increasing in some areas. This is not the time to open up social fronts.”
Lakiput ethnic minority group community elder Michael Ding said the latest update surprised him, as “we are still seeing infections fluctuating here and there”, while Gabungan Parti Sarawak information chief Datuk Idris Buang said the Covid-19 situation is still volatile in the state.
Vaccination for children aged 12 and above
Meanwhile, Sarawak is looking into the possibility of immunising children aged between 12 and 18, as well as a third dose for adults.
Dr Sim said this is being looked into to protect young people against Covid-19.
“The Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Group is looking into this since there is no decision from the federal level. It is made up of our own health and medical experts.
“They will advise the state government on their plan to vaccinate those aged 12 to 18, since the national programme has yet to decide.
“They will also advise on the notion of a third dose to boost vaccine effectiveness for adults who have been fully vaccinated.”
He said only the Pfizer vaccine can be used on teenagers.
The current status of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme’s vaccine delivery is as follows:
- Sinovac: completed last month, with no new delivery to Sarawak.
- Pfizer and Astrazeneca: ongoing.
- CanSino: yet to start and is not yet in Malaysia. – The Vibes, August 3, 2021
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