BINTULU: Three more venues for Covid-19 quarantine centres in the state have been identified.
They are Kemuyang Youth Camp for Sibu, Similajau National Park for Bintulu and Petronas Games Village for Miri.
In Kuching city, the designated venue is the Public Health College.
The State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas accompanied by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian visited the ones in Sibu and Bintulu yesterday to check on them.
Joining him were Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon, State Health Department Director Dr Chin Zin Hing and the Director of the State Security and Enforcement Unit Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung.
Uggah said the three new venues were suitable as they were away from cities or town areas.
“We need them for mass quarantine purpose should the need arise.”
“We have to be prepared for any eventuality given the current situation where today 20 people had tested positive for Covid-19,” he told the media after the visit.
Uggah said in the centres, those (persons under investigations for Covid-19 ― PUI) who already had the symptoms would be separated from others and family members who had to be placed under quarantine because they were in close contact.
“We do not want a situation where those who are in fact healthy become sick because they are put together with those who are sick.
“The quarantine centres are for those awaiting laboratory tests of their status,” said Uggah, adding where needed and necessary, facilities including internet connectivity at the centres would be improved.
He said Dr Sim too would be in the federal capital this week to discuss the outbreak at a national-level meeting.
“He will be presenting our requirements as well,” Uggah said.
Meanwhile, on the face mask, Dr Chin said there was no need for any healthy person to wear the face mask daily as a mean to protect him/her from contracting the Covid-19 sickness.
He was responding to the media query on the shortage of face mask in the market.
“There is no guarantee of protection from the face mask. The best option is to take care of your personal hygiene all the time.
“Wash your hands frequently with soap or hand sanitiser,” Uggah said.
Earlier in Bintulu town, Uggah and his entourage checked on the state government acquired thermo scanner used at Bintulu Airport.
He also checked on the traveller health declaration forms filled by arrivals to the city yesterday.
