SIBU, Jan 25: The number of longhouses in Sibu district under lockdown has increased from eight to 48 longhouses to curb the spread of Covid-19 from the Pasai Cluster.
Speaking at a press conference today, Sibu district police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said the number of longhouses under lockdown fluctuated daily depending on the Covid-19 situation.
“As at today there are 48 longhouses under lockdown. Kanowit has 14 and Selangau 6,” he said.
Sibu Division which covers Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau districts are under Movement Control Order for two weeks until Jan 29.
He explained that when a longhouse is put under lockdown, all the residents are not allowed to go out and food would be sent to them daily.
To a question, Stanley did not deny that some residents might have sneaked out for through their farms.
“There is no denying that some might have sneaked out through their farm at the back of the longhouse. We only have roadblock at the road leading to the longhouse  as we do not have enough men to be at all corners,” he said.
On Jan 8, when 37 residents of Rumah Langi were detected for Covid-19, the Sibu Disaster Management Committee sprung into action to put eight longhouses in Pasai Siong under lockdown.
The Pasai Cluster emerged after residents of the longhouse contacted Covid-19 from a 32-year-old woman who came back from Johor on Dec 29 to attend her father’s funeral.
The woman was  found positive for Covid-19 on Jan 6. Following that the infection spread to longhouses in Pasai Siong and to places like Kanowit, Selangau, Song, Miri and Kuching.  — DayakDaily
