KUCHING: Five health clinics around Kuching now provide free Covid-19 swab test for the public, and those who are exposed to the virus are encouraged to get tested immediately without waiting for a call from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said that government health clinics around Kuching were allowed to operate as the volume has decreased.
“With that, we no longer need to use the State Youth and Sports Complex as it costs a lot of money, including maintaining the number of staff on scene. I have also been informed that Petra Jaya Health Clinic also operates on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
“Therefore, I appeal to those individuals who are exposed to the virus — including those who are in contact tracing to come forward to visit these clinics to do the swab test. No need to wait for a phone call as this is a matter of public safety,” he told reporters after visiting a blood donation campaign at Dewan Masyarakat MBKS here, on Sunday.
Dr Sim assured the public that they have nothing to fear as there is no stigma of Covid-19.
“If you got infected, it is not because you want or asked for it. So, there should not be a stigma to it, because we (the state government) want you to be safe for yourself and not pass the virus to others,” he added.
Dr Sim stressed that it might cause inconvenience as the state government had gone beyond by still supporting and paying for the Covid-19 tests — including hotels for quarantine of those coming into the state; unlike the Federal government’s policy that required the people to pay for their own test.
“This is because the state government is worried that the people might not be able to pay for the tests, thus the state government decides to spend money in order to protect everyone.
“For your information, the testing of the virus takes up to 14 days of incubation period of quarantine, as the first 14 days is important due to the shedding of the virus,” he explained.
Additionally, Dr Sim reminded the public that only together as one community could the pandemic be overcome.
“Until a vaccine/cure is found, I hope the public will hold on and adapt to the inconveniences for their safety as the virus attacks everyone — regardless of age, religion, race, status,” he said.
On the other note, Dr Sim also mentioned that the business operators have been told to follow strictly the standard operating procedures (SOPs) as the fight with the pandemic was still on-going.
“If we want to prevent a second wave, we have to be the frontliners, and help us (the government) to enforce social distancing, hand hygiene, adhering to the SOPs being laid out — this also include the patrons of restaurants and ‘kopitiams’, as they need to do their part as well,” he said.
