SIBU, April 22: A full lockdown of Sibu town is not a wise move, as it will result in negative effects to the people’s finances and local economy, especially daily wage earners and petty traders.
Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee coordinator Dr Annuar Rapaee in his Covid-19 update via Facebook Live last night said that he had been asked many times by concerned residents to impose a full lockdown of the town due to the spike in Covid-19 cases.
“People asked me many times why not lockdown the whole town. We need to consider all matters before making the decision as a lockdown will result in many implications. Those daily wage earners and petty traders will be badly affected if lockdown is imposed,” he explained.
The Nangka assemblyman said a full compliance to the SOP is by far the best method to control the spread of the virus.
“When we see that adhering to the SOP is more important to reduce the cases, we need to follow. But if we don’t follow the SOP, another MCO is also of no use to help to flatten the curve,” he said.
Slow learners would be another group who is most affected by lockdown when schools are closed.
“I have a programme in my Nangka constituency for slow learners to help accelerate their studies,” he said.
On April 20, the committee had extended the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) from seven zones to the whole division which also include Kanowit and Selangau.
The EMCO takes effect from 12.01am of April 22 to 11.59pm on April 26.
Separately, he urged those who might have Covid-19 symptoms to immediate go for a swab test.
“If you have symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, fever, diarrhea, and headache, go for a swab test. Do not wait and move around as the virus can easily spread,” he advised.
Dr Annuar said there were people who had such symptoms but still went about with their daily business.
“There is a case involving a student who had symptoms. While waiting for a swab test to be done, his mother asked him to go to school. His family had by then already been infected with the virus,” he said.
On a netizen who asked what action the authority would take against those who did not quarantine themselves while waiting for their swab test results, Dr Annuar acknowledged that: “In Sibu it is difficult for the people to follow the SOPs.”
“I urged all those waiting for their swab test results to follow the SOP by quarantineing themselves as the virus can spread very fast from one positive person to another,” he said. — DayakDaily
