KUCHING: Many Sarawakians are ready to welcome the further relaxation of a few key measures in the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of COVID-19.
However, they point out that these new rules need to be carried out carefully.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the three key measures involved the wearing of face masks, scanning of the MySejahtera application when entering premises and COVID-19 detection tests.He said these were still being assessed and discussed at the Ministry of Health (MoH) level.
Following are some of the public opinions on the matter:
AKMAL YUSUP, 29
(Private employee)
All parties are certainly ready to welcome the relaxation of the SOPs as it means life has returned to normal. The mandatory face mask is especially troublesome as it affects our daily expenses.
However, the public need to remain vigilant about their health and take appropriate action if infected because we have not fully won this COVID-19 war.
MUHAMMAD DANIEL EZZU, 21
(Student)
The relaxation of the SOPs will enable us to return to normal life. There are no worries as the country now has achieved herd immunity.
FAHMI ABD HAMID, 28
(Self-employed)
I am ready for the relaxation of the SOPs. Business owners especially are burdened by the strict SOPs previously and many have been compounded for not adhering to them.
However, I personally think it is risky to relax the SOPs as our country are still recording a large number of new COVID-19 cases everyday. The government should continue with the compulsory MySejahtera scanning to help it trace any positive cases. We have not won the war against COVID-19 yet.
CHYNTIA JABY, 27
(Postgraduate student)
I personally welcome the proposed relaxation of the COVID-19 SOPs as I hope to go back to normal life. I hope all parties will abide to the new SOPs set. It’s time to move on from the pandemic.
KHAIRUL ADZHAN, 27
(Private employee)
The relaxation of the SOPs is expected because the country has transited to the endemic phase. I have seen some members of the public wear masks only at certain times and some don’t even scan the MySejahtera app when entering a premises.
Most of us probably are still used to wearing the face masks and following the SOPs.
But it is time for the government to relax the SOPs.
