KUCHING, July 23: There are no new standard operating procedures (SOPs) yet for the new Covid-19 Delta variants, said State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
According to Dr Sim, the Delta variant virus is at the early stages of its evolution and is still changing.
“The virus is only 18-months old, and there is so much to learn about it. The only thing I can say is that things will continue to evolve.
“As for the SOPs, they are tightening it and making some adjustments for the 14-days quarantine process,” he told reporters after officiating at the Kuching Division Peladang Prihatin Sarawak programme, held at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) today.
Dr Sim added that this includes the way the virus is handled, including many other things in the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) affected areas.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president opined it was unrealistic to have a total lockdown in light of the pandemic.
He explained that in the future, there would always be new variants around, because as long as there is transmission, there will be new variants.
“I think it is unrealistic to have a total lockdown. All of this (the pandemic situation) is very dynamic, and the policies are constantly being monitored and changed.
“That is why when the virus changes, our policies also have to change, and everyone needs to understand this,” he said.
He was asked to comment on Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth secretary-general Milton Foo’s suggestion for a temporary ban of all incoming flights into Sarawak to stop new Covid-19 variants from entering and endangering the State.
Dr Sim opined that the best option at the moment was still the quarantine process.
“This is because the option of having a total lockdown would mean zero connection to the outside world,” he said. —DayakDaily.
