By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 10: Proof of complete Covid-19 vaccination to fully resume business activities, a 14-day closure order for business that has violated restrictions and revoking business license of repeated offenders are among the proposed changes to Kuching South City Council (MBKS)’s policy for licensing.
Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng emphasised that these proposed additional conditions on its policy for licensing are not to burden businesses operating under its jurisdiction but to strengthen the control and preventive measures to ensure a safe environment for community and businesses to operate in.
“We are not against anyone or trying to make things more difficult, but we need to fine-tune our policy to meet the current situation, manage the endemic, protect our community and prevent the occurrence of Covid-19 outbreaks.
“While we noted that Covid-19 vaccination is not mandatory, local councils have the authority to impose rules and regulations to ensure the health and safety of communities under MBKS jurisdiction,” he highlighted in his WeeShallTalk live session on Facebook today.
As a townhall cannot be organised during this restricted period to consult public views on the matter, Wee however welcomes feedback and inputs from stakeholders and the public before a finalised proposal on the changes is submitted to the Council’s Standing Committee for debate and decision.
Among the proposed changes, Wee shared that for the first offence, businesses that have been issued compound for flouting the standard operating procedures (SOP) will be ordered to stop operation for 14 days and shall only be allowed to resume after the completion of the closure order.
“For second offences or repeated violators, with advice from the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and the police, MBKS will revoke the license of the business,” he said.
The additional licensing conditions proposed for stallholders and vendors in markets and hawker centres under its jurisdiction would make it mandatory for all licensees and their assistants to produce proof of double Covid-19 vaccination before they can continue to trade in the council’s markets and hawker centres.
“As for other businesses of trading activities licenses, all licensees and their staff must also show document proof that they have completed two doses of vaccination before they can continue to conduct their respective business and trading activities.
“This would cover businesses operating in private properties within MBKS jurisdiction like kopitiam, market places and others,” he explained.
The additional conditions, he continued, would also be extended to organisation of activities or events in public facilities and buildings where organisers must meet certain requirements and get prior approval from MBKS.
Wee pointed out that this proposal will need to be debated by the Standing Committee before they can be passed in the full council meeting and submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to be endorsed.
“We hope to see that these proposed changes can also be expanded throughout the State. Other municipalities can use this proposal as reference and guideline to enhance their council policy,” he added. — DayakDaily
