Covid-19: Kapit sealed off continues

Tan Sri Dr James Masing

By Peter Sibon

KUCHING, April 4: All entrances to Kapit will continue to be sealed off, except for transportation of essential goods.

This to ensure the the division remained free of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), said Sarawak deputy chief minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing.

Since the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) on March 18, the three main entrances to Kapit division, namely by the express boats; by road via Kanowit-Song-Kapit and Bintulu-Belaga, as well as the jungle tracks/timber roads at Long Busang, Tapak Megah and Long Singut have been closely monitored.

“We have to continue taking this drastic step to ensure Kapit division will remain in the green zone, which is zero Covid-19 cases. The MCO will be strictly enforced except for transporting of essential goods,” Masing told DayakDaily.

The Baleh lawmaker said he would recommend to the State Disaster Management Committee for certain business activities to be allowed in the coming week. He assured that strict measures would be taken for Kapit division to remain free of the virus outbreak.

“If Kapit were to remain free from Covid-19, then we can allow more flexibility for certain business activities such as allowing the people selling their jungle produce in the tamu (market) within a specific time frame,” he continued.

Masing, who has been tasked to look after border security sub-committee during MCO, said the General Operations Force (GOF) will be deployed to man the jungle tracks in the three villages of Long Busang, Tapak Megah and Long Singut, located at the upper reaches of the Balui River.

“With the deployment of the GOF personnel in these three border villages, we can seal off the porous border through, in which the virus could spread from those infected from the other side (Kalimantan),” he said. — DayakDaily