MIRI: Several proposals on additional methods for containing the spread of Covid-19 in Sarawak would be brought up during the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday (Jan 4), says Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
The federal Deputy Minister of Health added that this was as preparation to face any possible increase in cases following the reopening of China’s borders on Jan 8, and with a flood of tourist arrivals from China expected.
“As Sarawak (Disaster Management Committee or SDMC) has it own agency that regulates and formulates strategies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), we would ensure all precautionary measures in preventing the spread of Covid-19 are in tandem with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines,” he said on Tuesday (Dec 3) here.
“We are monitoring the situation (China border reopening)…and at the moment our SOPs are similar to what other neighbouring countries are carrying out, and these SOPs could be changed based on the latest updates at all entry points (in Sarawak),” he pointed out.
Lukanisman added that SOPs could be changed within 48 hours, depending on the latest situation.
Earlier, he conducted a working visit to the newly completed Miri Health Clinic, next to Miri Hospital.
The clinic was built at a cost of RM26.3mil and expected to be operational in June this year.
On another note, following the detection of two main Covid-19 variants in Malaysia – BA.5.2 and BF.7, which are spreading rapidly in China currently, Lukanisman said the Ministry of Health was monitoring the situation.
“We encourage senior citizens and individuals with chronic conditions to get Covid-19 second booster doses.”
He added that for the second booster dose, those eligible could make appointments via the MySejahtera app.
Also present during the press conference were Sarawak Minister for Transport, Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting; Miri MP Chiew Choon Man and Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong.
