SIBU, Jan 25: The recent decision to require essential services employers to apply for police permits for work related travel is aimed at reducing human traffic in the town area as Covid-19 cases here continue to soar.
With this decision, the current practice for employers to issue letters to their employees to go to work will be discontinued effective Jan 27.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Sibu Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Sibu district police chief, ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said their goal with the implementation of this new ruling was to reduce the number of people in the town.
“Yesterday, news had gone viral on social media that there were still a lot of people in Sibu town. We quickly came in and had to ask them to disperse,” he said.
Stanley said there were no roadblocks in town and people could still go out but they needed to ensure full compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and even then, only go out for essential matters.
“We only have roadblocks at the exit points of the town. There are roadblocks in Pasai Siong, Panasu, Teku, Durin and Paradom,” he said.
Meanwhile, SDMC chairman Charles Siaw said the new ruling aimed to reduce the number of people in the town to 50 per cent.
“Companies categorised under essential services are now required to apply for police permits for work related travel during this MCO period. The management of essential services are only allowed to operate at 30 per cent capacity during the MCO period,” he said.
Stanley also explained the application process for the permit.
“Companies under essential services need to list down their staff who will be working and need the permit. This permit allows them to travel from their home to their workplace and is applicable for Sibu Division only,” he said.
Sibu Division covers Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau districts.
Stanley added that the permit can be applied for at any police station in the division.
“The documents required for the permit application included the company trade licence, names of workers and their identity cards. They are also required to state down their operating hours,” he added.
Companies under essential services may begin applying for the permit today and applications would take a day to be approved.
Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew urged companies not categorised under essential services to refrain from applying for the said permit. — DayakDaily
