KUCHING: There is a need to modify set schedules and tighten standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines to ensure Sarawakians are safe to enter Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said SDMC would need to discuss this as well as to take into consideration the ever-changing Covid-19 situation.
“While Sarawakians are proud that the National Security Council (MKN) has recognised and acknowledged that Sarawak is leading and fulfilling the threshold values for moving into the next phase, we still need to be very cautious in coming out of this lockdown.
“It is more like slowly turning on the tap rather than just flipping the switch on, especially with the Delta variant and a high number of positive cases in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page on Monday (Aug 2).
Dr Sim lauded Sarawakians for their solidarity, which contributed to Sarawak moving forward into Phase Three.
He noted that this also resulted in high vaccination rate for first and second dose as well as drastic decline in category three, four and five of Covid-19 patients and the condition of public health system.
“However, we need to learn from others and take note on what not to do, especially with high incidence of silent hypoxia and brought-in-dead cases in Peninsular Malaysia as well as long Covid-19 syndrome.
“We are looking forward to our local experts, the Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccines Advisory Group, to advice on the topic of vaccination for Sarawakians who are in the 12- to 18-year-old age group and the requirement of a third booster dose.”
Dr Sim added that June focused on saving lives while July on saving livelihoods and August would look into how to live with the virus.
