MIRI, May 14: Parents should try their utmost to keep young children at home, Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin advised following reports of young children playing and running around in shopping malls without wearing face masks.
Lee emphasised that parents must take seriously the safety and health of their children from potentially being exposed to Covid-19 infections given the surge in cases in Miri Division especially Miri District, Subis and Beluru.
“Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee (Miri DDMC) has received reports of parents bringing their young children along to shopping malls, playing and running around without wearing face masks.
“Parents should avoid bringing their young children out especially to shopping malls and crowded public places if there is no necessity.
“During this critical period, it is better to stay at home and avoid going out to crowded places. Go out only when it is necessary,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
As Miri DDMC takes seriously the drastic increase of positive Covid-19 cases in Miri Division, Lee called for collaboration from all parties and the public in adhering to standard operating procedures (SOP) which have been tightened under current Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
“What is most important now is the close collaboration from the people as well as playing our roles to help in curbing the spread of Covid-19. We can only win with the support and collaboration from all of the people,” he added.
Elaborating on the compounds issued to SOP violators, Lee, who is the minister-in-charge of Miri DDMC, emphasised that people should have determination and practise self-discipline in this matter for the sake of people’s health and safety.
“People need to be sincere and willing to comply with all SOP and not wait to be compounded to step up on their actions.
“Once again, I urged everyone to work closely, give support by complying with the SOP so that the number of cases can be brought down and we can return to the green zone so that we can carry on with our daily activities and the economic sector can operate as usual,” he urged.
Lee reminded that Miri was able to defend its safe green zone status for a long period of time last year with no Covid-19 cases reported which was achieved as a result of the close collaboration from all Mirians. — DayakDaily
