KUCHING, May 3: The state government is managing the number of Sarawakian returnees and visitors by reducing the frequency of passenger flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak.
Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin in a statement disclosed that reducing the number of mentioned inbound flights is to ensure that there is adequate space in designated quarantine centres to house Sarawakian returnees and visitors.
The frequency which has been agreed to include four times weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, one time weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Bintulu, two times weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Miri and one time weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Sibu.
In the meantime, the Kuala Lumpur to Sibu route will only be allowed to operate starting from May 16.
Lee revealed the decision to limit the number of flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak has been conveyed to the Federal Ministry of Transport.
“I had personally contacted YB Minister for Transport (Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong) to convey the decision of the State Disaster Manangement Committee (SDMC) to limit the frequency of flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak.
“The decision of SDMC to reduce the number of inbound flights to Sarawak with hundreds of passengers per flight is to ascertain that there are enough rooms at designated quarantine centres in the state.
“This includes the availability of hotel rooms to cater for incoming passengers at any time.
“This matter is coordinated by the Divisional Disaster Management Committee,” he disclosed.
Lee added the decision of the Movement Control Order (MCO) Action Plan by the Federal Minister Committee meeting was conveyed by the Minister of Transport to the acting chief executive officer of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and chief executive officer of Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) on April 30 to take the necessary follow up actions with airline services operators.
He also expressed his appreciation to airline companies for their cooperation and understanding with regards to the state’s efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
