KUCHING: All tourists and visitors are welcomed to visit Sarawak provided they abide by the state’s COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the reopening of the state’s borders to international visitors beginning Friday (Apr 1) will see the implementation of certain SOPs as deliberated by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and his ministry.
“We are open to receive visitors from all countries. However, they must follow our rule,” he said in reference to China’s planned two-stage lockdown of Shanghai city of 26 million people.
He was speaking at a press conference after chairing Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) supreme committee meeting at a hotel here on Monday (Mar 28).
Abdul Karim said the SOPs were also part of his ministry’s preparation in the reopening of the borders.
“The SOPs announced by SDMC were discussed with my ministry as well as various related agencies such as the National Security Council (MKN) Health Ministry, Transport Ministry and so on.
“It was crafted in a concerted effort from various related agencies,” he assured.
He added that the border reopening also showed that the state was progressing towards normality, adding that he hoped for the people to not be complacent with COVID-19.
“My ministry and I welcome the reopening. This is a great relief to the industry and this is what we have been waiting for.
“Even though certain SOPs are still in place, it has now become much easier to travel to Sarawak than before.
“This shows that we have reached the endemic phase and have obtained herd immunity. The industry players are ready to take in visitors, give it some time and everything will be okay,” he assured.
Apart from that, the Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Minister said meetings and discussions between his ministries and event organisers had taken place, promising the return of various annual Sarawak events.
“We will have the events taking place sometime after June. These events must go on because they are known for making Sarawak a special place (for visitors),” he said, alluding to annual tourism events such as the Sarawak Regatta, Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Borneo Jazz Festival (BJF) and Sarawak Spartan Race.
ENDS WITH PICS
PICS BY RAMIDI SUBARI
