KUCHING: The people have been urged to mask up in light of the emergence of the Covid-19 Omicron XBB sub-variant.
Bandar Kuching incumbent MP Dr Kelvin Yii said there is a need to take every necessary precaution as the XBB sub-variant has been spreading in Singapore and some cases have also been detected in Malaysia.
“I encourage people, if you want to take precaution, put on your face mask.
“But when it comes to voting, I think the Election Commission (EC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) are working very closely,” he told reporters after a ‘Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders dialogue with the youth’ at a cafe in Tabuan Tranquility here on Monday (Oct 24) evening.
Dr Yii, who is also chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Health, Science, and Innovation said he was contacted by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to discuss the proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that it is safe for the people to vote.
“The fact is, I have always been critical of EC in the sense that they have not been creative and innovative enough to come up with proper procedures especially, for example, postal voting.
“But with that said, I think they have proper SOPs and the MoH is working very closely to ensure that all voters who come out are safe,” he said.
He added he was informed that for those who are sick and Covid-19 positive, they will vote in a separate area and in a controlled environment so that they do not infect others.
“So do not be afraid. Do not be concerned. Come up to vote. Let your voices be heard because this is once in five years. You need to select a government and it’s safe to come out,” he said.
As to whether candidates and voters should wear face masks during the campaign period, Dr Yii said it is best to do so.
“I generally will wear, and I encourage people as much as they can to wear their face masks. This is my personal encouragement,” he said.
