KUCHING: The state government is urging the public to remain calm following the recent outbreak of the pandemic Covid-19 in Brunei.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah clarified that the State Disaster Management Committee has strengthened its precautionary measures at all state’s entry points.
“The committee will ensure the preventive actions are carried out at all entry points into Sarawak.
“Visitors arriving in Sarawak must adhere to precautionary guidelines issued by the state Health Department.
“They have to declare their recent health and travel history the details of which must be made in the health declaration form,” he said to reporters at his office in Baitul Makmur building here yesterday.
Pointing out that Sarawak was the only state that has formed a committee to handle disaster outbreaks, he assured that the state government has taken a proactive step in effort to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in Sarawak.
“The committee is stepping up the action by controlling the number of visitors coming into the state.
“This is besides installing thermo scanners at the entry points,” he added.
With school holiday approaching next week, Abdul Karim further advised the public especially Sarawakians not to visit other countries.
He strongly encouraged parents to bring their families to visit local places of interest.
“I think it is a high time for everyone to build up the domestic tourism. Let’s visit our places of interest here in Sarawak.
“If you are planning to travel outside of Sarawak, please take precautionary actions such as wearing face masks and bringing along hand sanitisers,” he said.
Noting that Bruneians frequently visited Miri, Limbang and Lawas during weekends, the minister also urged the sultanate’s citizens to only visit the state once the outbreak is under control.
On Tuesday, six people were found positive of Covid-19 in Brunei. In the first case, a 53-year-old Brunei was tested positive for the virus on Monday after returning to the sultanate on March 3 from Kuala Lumpur with three friends.
It was reported that the man came to Miri with a delegation of visitors before heading back to Brunei.
Miri which is only 35km away from the sultanate receives some 40,000 Bruneians via the Sungai Tujuh border checkpoint daily from Thursday to Sunday.
