MIRI – Sarawak will not allow the easing of travel restrictions, even for places under Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), and for those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
State authorities still require those wishing to travel interstate and inter-district in Sarawak to secure a police permit first and apply online for permission from the state Disaster Management Committee.
The committee has posted these latest directives in a public circular on its website and on the Sarawak Public Communication Unit.
Netizens reacted quickly today, saying that Sarawak should not have been placed under Phase 3 at all.
“Phase 2, Phase 3... what is the difference in Sarawak?
“The government should stop talking about these phases,” said John Sidu.
Another resident, Abdul Hadi, said that since the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak is still unstable, the phases should not be applied.
“It is still risky to travel, so there is no point in getting up the phases,” he said.
Sarawak is still seeing high infection rates in recent days.
The stubborn and carefree attitude of Sarawakians is to be blamed as two days ago the state saw a record-high number of 1,216 new infections.
Sarawak Health Department director Datuk Dr Mohamed Sapian Mohamed said social gatherings, family celebrations, prayers en masse, funerals, meetings, group sports, loitering in crowded places, refusal to wear face masks and no social distancing are among the causes.
“The 1,216 new cases (on Thursday) mark the highest daily increase since the pandemic early last year.
“The careless behaviour of the people towards standard operating procedures (SOPs) and their attitude towards the current situation is causing the continuous spreading the virus,” he said in a press statement.
Dr Sapian said Kuching recorded the highest numbers, followed by nearby districts like Serian and Samarahan and the death toll has reached 479.
Dr Sapian called on the people to stay away from public places and stay home as much as possible.
The Disaster Management Committee said new cluster outbreaks are still being recorded daily. – The Vibes, August 14, 2021
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