By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Feb 1: Kapit residents are urged not to panic as banks, shops and supermarkets will still be open during the Movement Control Order (MCO) which starts tomorrow.
The call was made by both Kapit Resident Nyurak Keti and Temenggong Tan Kian Hoo as many residents were rushing to withdraw money to buy foodstuff in preparation for MCO.
“There was a long queue this morning at the bank. From between 9.30am to 11.30am, a long queue was seen at the bank. People were trying to draw money to stock up on food stuff as they are worried that during MCO, all shops might be closed.
“MCO is not a curfew. Those (people) performing essential duties are still permitted to move around town. Shops and supermarkets are still open to allow residents to purchase groceries. There is no need for panic buying,” Tan told DayakDaily.
On the same note, Nyurak also called on Kapit residents to keep cool and not to give in to panic buying.
“Do not panic. The bank, the supermarkets and even the coffeeshops will still be open. But all must follow SOP (standard operating procedure) when visiting these places.
“As for coffeeshops, they will also be allowed to open but for takeaway only. So do not panic,” said Nyurak.
He also took the opportunity to advise those who need to travel out of Kapit to apply for police permits.
“At this time, we don’t welcome outsiders. And for those who need to leave Kapit, you must have a police permit to do so,” said Nyurak.
Yesterday in a press statement, the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) announced that MCO would come into effect in Kapit and Song districts from Feb 2 to 15.
Song District has been classified as a Covid-19 red zone with a total of 100 cases reported in the past fortnight while Kapit District has been categorised as an orange zone with a total of 37 cases recorded over the same period.
Meanwhile, in response to a request by the Kapit Division Health Office, Tan, Kapit residents and other community leaders in Kapit had put together resources to present PPE (personal protective equipment) for medical personnel at Kapit health facilities.
“We handed over the PPE that Kapit DHO had requested this morning as tomorrow will be the day MCO starts. We want to give the medical staff what they need before MCO,” said Tan. — DayakDaily
