KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) has urged the state government to gradually do away with the movement control order (MCO) starting with the green zones while carefully guarding the other zones.
PSB secretary general George Lo said the party agreed with the state government regarding its decision to not follow the federal government in allowing certain businesses to re-open effective today (May 4).
“Allowing all businesses across the state to resume operation would jeopardise the gains we have made against Covid-19 since March 18.
“It may put to naught the sacrifices made by our healthcare workers who have repeatedly appealed to us to stay home,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday when asked to comment on the state government’s stance on the announcement of conditional movement control order (CMCO).
Lo further said the decision by the federal government could trigger the next wave of infection which would require a further movement control order (MCO).
“The rationale given for businesses to reopen is that the nation was losing too much economically each day of the MCO. This reason would look ridiculous if there is a second wave of infection followed by another much longer MCO period,” he said.
As for Sarawak, Lo said PSB would support a graduated easing of restrictions starting with districts that are now green zones.
“This would help contract and daily paid workers who are in desperate need of income to start work and save small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“Careful consideration must be given to which businesses can resume operations in the green zones and under what conditions they would do so, with primary attention given to social distancing and other preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus.
“As an example, coffee shops should not reopen because it would be almost impossible for the owner to control the crowd, record contact details or take temperatures,” he said, adding that businesses in red zones must remain closed.
He also mentioned that Sarawak border control must be very strict with quarantine of all visitors from outside Sarawak for 14 days.
“There may be some short-term pain to continue restrictions on red zones but there will be long term gain,” he said.
