KUCHING: Sarawakians residing in Covid-19 red zones outside of the state are advised to avoid returning to their home state during the upcoming holiday seasons.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said Sarawakians should also avoid entering Covid-19 red zones and exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.
“Sarawakians did very well and avoided visiting and travelling too much during the Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations and this is what we should do.
“We can see how Canada, which did so well (in combating the spread of Covid-19) for so long, now has a major outbreak. That is why we cannot be complacent,” he said when met by reporters after officiating at the Excellence Service Award (APC) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building today.
He said the sudden influx in number of Covid-19 cases nationwide was also partly due to the peoples’ complacency, adding that Sarawakians cannot afford to let their guards down.
“For Sarawak we are very fortunate as all Sarawakians are doing their part and playing their roles which resulted in the state being the only place in the country where the numbers of Covid-19 infections are decreasing while all other places are seeing an increase.
“Since Covid-19 started, we have roughly 75,000 cases with 34,000 cases in the last four weeks – and we also have almost 400 deaths with 90 deaths in the last four weeks,” he reminded.
He described the highly anticipated availability of the Covid-19 vaccine as being “so near, yet so far”.
“The last thing we want is more people to die (from Covid-19) when the vaccine is just around the corner,” he stressed.
In light of the upcoming holiday seasons, Dr Sim said that local councils throughout Sarawak would enforce relevant standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines.
“This is not to cause inconvenience or hardships to the people. It’s also not because we don’t want you to be with your families.
“But if you love your family and Sarawak, we should all do our part and play our roles,” he explained.
