By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Jan 9: The annual Chinese New Year (CNY) festive sale or CNY Bazaar at Kenyalang Park here is cancelled.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng during his live Facebook streaming today said the cancellation was for public health and safety in view of the Covid-19 situation in Kuching and Sarawak which entered the fourth wave.
“We have conducted an online poll and 86 per cent of the people disagreed for the CNY bazaar to proceed while the balance of 14 per cent agreed.
“In view of the fourth wave of the Covid-19 in Sarawak, we have decided to cancel it.
“I do it for the people. For me, it is about doing the right thing,” he said.
Wee believed that without the CNY bazaar, the people can still celebrate the festival in various ways.
On another note, Wee said business premises in MBKS jurisdiction which were visited by Covid-19 cases will be informed to close temporarily.
He said the council will issue notices to the business premises for them to conduct deep cleaning and disinfection.
Wee said employees of the business premises affected will also need to undergo Covid-19 screening and when their test results were negative, then the shop will be allowed to reopen.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the guest for Wee’s live streaming, said the State Health Department will also conduct active case detection (ACD) at the places visited by Covid-19 cases for instance at Milan Square.
He revealed that the most critical timing is the first two days when one was infected with the virus during the incubation period where symptoms were yet to exist.
Thus, Dr Sim called on those who have been the places visited by Covid-19 cases to go for screening at the nearest health clinic.
He revealed that the fees for their Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test will be waived if they disclose which cluster they were associated with.
For the upcoming CNY celebration, Dr Sim also reminded the people to have their reunion dinner at home as opposed to gather at restaurants.
He also urged the people to reduce unnecessary outdoor activities if possible. —DayakDaily
