By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 14: The body temperature screening process at international borders cannot protect Sarawak entirely from the risk of an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, says Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen.
He was referring to Sarawak Disaster Management Committee’s (SDMC) announcement yesterday (Jan 13) that all travellers arriving at Sarawak’s international entry points must undergo a body temperature screening process.
“While thermal protection is made a regulation, it does not protect us entirely because we know that there are a lot of asymptomatic cases where a lot of patients may not even have a fever that the thermal equipment can detect.
“So that’s why I said that we must always be vigilant, always be protective and don’t take things lightly,” he said when met after The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI) leadership forum entitled ‘Borneo Youth: Agent of Change in a New Malaysia’ held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.
He further said Sarawakians need to understand that the Covid-19 pandemic is still around despite the lessening of restrictions.
Apart from China, countries worldwide, including the United States, Japan, and Ireland, are recording a rising number of Covid-19 cases.
“And now, with the borders’ reopening, there is a risk that infections may increase again in Malaysia. So that is why I think all Sarawakians and Malaysians, in general, need to play an extra role in ensuring that they take precautions,” he added.
He also called on those who have not completed their booster dose to do so to optimise protection.
“We do not want an increase of cases again in the hospitals. However, we could only see that in the next one or two weeks, especially now that the borders are opened.
“So, let’s take extra precautions. We are not out of the pandemic yet, and we cannot take things lightly,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
