By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Jan 3: Several proposals on additional methods of containing the spread of Covid-19 in Sarawak will be brought up during the Cabinet meeting on Jan 4 in preparation of a possible increase in cases of the disease following the reopening of China’s borders on Jan 8, says Deputy Minister for Health Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
“As Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has it own agency that regulates and formulates strategies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), we will ensure all precautionary measures in preventing the spread of Covid-19 are equalised with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines,” he told a press conference on Tuesday in Miri.
“We are monitoring the situation, following China’s decision to reopen its borders on Jan 8, and at the moment our SOPs are similar to what other neighbouring countries are carrying out, and these SOPs will change based on the latest updates at all entry points (for Sarawak),” he pointed out.
He added that these changes to the SOPs could take place within 48 hours, depending on the latest situation.
Earlier, Lukanisman conducted a working visit to the newly completed Miri Health Clinic, next to Miri Hospital.
On another note, following the detection of two main Covid-19 variants in Malaysia, namely BA.5.2 and BF.7 which are spreading rapidly in China currently, Lukanisman said that the Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation from time to time.
“We also encourage senior citizens and individuals with chronic conditions to get a second Covid-19 booster dose,” he opined.
He added that the second Covid-19 booster dose appointment for those eligible can be made via the MySejahtera app.
Also present during the press conference were Minister of Transport Sarawak Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I Datuk Sebastian Ting and Miri Hospital’s director Dr Jack Wong. — DayakDaily
