We are now open for business!
Yes, since April 1 2022, our borders have opened up, and most restrictions on businesses have been lifted. Some might say it is business as usual. However, there are still a few SOPs in place.
Many restrictions were lifted under the SOPs for Phase Four of the Sarawak National Recovery Plan, which began in January 2022.
It must be noted that this latest phase is categorised as a transition to the endemic phase.
Therefore, I would surmise that we are still in the pandemic and have not actually reached the endemic stage – merely moving towards it.
Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recently said, “In the past two years, we have fought the battle against COVID-19. Together, we face the challenges with overwhelming trust and support from the people.”
Indeed, our Premiers’ leadership was critical and saw us through these challenging times.
The many holistic and people-centric policies, financial aid, and monetary discounts on utilities and other Sarawak government-related services helped mitigate the financial distress of many Sarawakians.
The determination of the Sarawak government’s intensive, inclusive and extensive vaccination programme in Sarawak helped to get the majority of Sarawakians vaccinated.
During these two years of the pandemic, the world economy went into free fall. There was a global recession that affected virtually every nation. This was the result of the worldwide ‘great lockdown’.
Many governments all over the world were in a bind. They saw lockdowns as the only available immediate option.
Some people actually now query the judgement of the politicians and the experts. They ask, were the lockdowns truly necessary? Was this the right choice?
I would just like you to look back towards the height of the pandemic before the COVID-19 vaccines or before they became widely available.
Do you remember the scenes on social media and TV that showed bodies piling up for burial and cremations in many countries? There was no distinction between rich and poor nations. All had the same problems.
Healthcare systems were not only stretched. In some cases, they just collapsed with no beds and oxygen available. Doctors and nurses worked long hours, and many died of the COVID-19 virus.
Such were the horrific scenes, and this was also happening in the middle of lockdowns. Just imagine if there was no lockdown. The deaths and chaos would have been even worse.
The lockdowns and subsequent vaccination programmes prevented such unfortunate scenes in Sarawak.
Another question that needs to be asked is this; if we cannot afford to have lockdowns in the future, what are we doing to avoid lockdowns?
Other than various other measures, one key measure would be better healthcare facilities nationwide and right in the rural areas. This would mean scaling up and building new facilities, including research and development related to our public healthcare.
We would also need to ramp up the training and recruitment of more medical personnel.
This expenditure would not be wasted even if there is no pandemic or epidemic. It would mean better healthcare facilities for all during regular times. A healthy nation means happy people and a healthy economy.
Will we be able to manage the situation better in the future? Yes, I am sure. In fact, it is precisely due to better understanding and management that we are now transitioning to the endemic stage.
If there is a repeat of a pandemic with a new type of virulent virus, I do believe that we will still need a lockdown.
Our healthcare systems still are not up to scratch. Although much better, it might still not be able to cope.
Could things have been done better? Yes, of course! But this is only with the benefit of hindsight. We had not in living memory undergone such a pandemic, especially one that impacted a modern global economy that closely linked almost all countries.
It must be noted that China, even with its comprehensive healthcare system and mass vaccination programmes, still practises lockdowns to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
There is always room for improvement with the wisdom of hindsight. However, I would say that we in Sarawak have been in a much better situation than other states or nations.
This would be due to proactive and Sarawak First policies implemented by Abang Johari and his team.
Decisions and choices were made to ensure the safety of the people first and foremost. I am sure the same criteria will be used in the future.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
