KUCHING: The rural folk in Marudi are complying with the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), said its assemblyman Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil.
When contacted, he said that the rural folk are complying with the SOPs to a certain extent.
“Yes, it is widely accepted by the people. However, the wearing of face masks in longhouses is not normally done, except during funerals or meetings,” he said.
Penguang also said that some village development and security committees (JKKKs) are doing policing work and guarding entrances to their villages.
“Some longhouses do their own community policing by guarding the entrances to villages or longhouses and prohibit outsiders from coming in,” he added.
The assemblyman also pointed out that the JKKKs also impose fines, including setting up notices.
However, he is also concerned that some members of the community are still going to other places.
“There are a lot of the Covid-19 infections happening in longhouses and this kind of attitude is what caused it,” said Penguang.
He explained that food supplies are sent to those under the lockdown by the state government through the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) throughout the 14-day quarantine period.
“My hope is for the rural folk to reduce their movements to towns or other areas, especially areas under red zones.
“By doing so, we can minimise the spread of the virus,” he concluded.
