KOTA KINABALU – Despite the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that interstate travel will be allowed nationwide, Sabahans will still need to wait for a green light from the state government for it to count.
Sabah’s official Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said that Sabah’s decision on the matter will be disclosed on Wednesday after the state Covid-19 management committee meeting on the same day.
“We have to take into account that Sabah has not reached 90% fully vaccinated adults – Sabah has only achieved around 65% now,” he said.
On the ground, Sabahans have given mixed signals on the matter.
Local sales representative Joseph Hing said that considering the size of Sabah and its low vaccination rate, it is reasonable that Sabah will need more time before it opens its border to other states.
“Sabah’s daily Covid-19 cases are around 700 to 800 now, and that is not exactly low.
“Opening our borders now would risk receiving positive Covid-19 individuals from other states into Sabah.
“I wish Sabah would reach herd immunity as soon as possible so that situations will return to normal soon,” he said.
West Malaysians living in Sabah are among those directly impacted by this decision as they have been away from home for over a year.
A clerk in Sandakan, Norista Wani, said she has been longing to visit her mother in Perak who has never held Norista’s second child after the boy was born in February.
“I was disappointed when I found out that Sabah will be exempted from the prime minister’s announcement.
“However, it was expected because it had happened many times before – the Sabah government will issue its own standard operating procedures (SOP) and instructions that differ from the federal government.
“While I understand that Sabah might have to achieve a higher vaccination rate in order to enjoy the ease in restriction, the government cannot punish us for others’ action.
“If other people refuse to take the vaccine for whatever reason, the rest of us who have been fully vaccinated should not pay the price for their decisions. It is not fair,” she added. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021
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