MIRI, 9 Jan: Movement Control Order (MCO) might be re-introduced with tighter restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic following the spike of positive cases reported recently.
This view was shared by Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew when asked by local media on the re-introduction of MCO 2.0 if Covid-19 positive cases kept on rising.
“Further restrictions could be introduced to those who apply to enter Sarawak and re-impose MCO due to Covid-19 cases rising lately, “he said when met today before officiating the creative advertising and promotion of English for the youth programme at Pustaka Miri.
Ting added, that the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) will most likely re-introduce lockdown and further restriction to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
While many countries are slowly opening up, including Malaysia, several cities and regions in Asia have re-introduced tighter measures, after initially easing curbs following spikes in the number of infection in recent weeks.
Asked if Sarawak would follow suit, Ting added, it is most likely that SDMC will make it more difficult for people to come back to the State with tighter restrictions.
He also advised those who wish to come back to Sarawak not to do so unless necessary.
“This is because most of the cases recorded were from outside, initially we have MCO and then extended to RMCO. It is always a difficult situation for the government, businesses and the public to struggle with the impact of a prolonged lockdown,” he said.
“Considering on the numbers of cases recorded recently, I think it is time for us to consider re-introducing the lockdown,” he added.
Recently, SDMC has said in a statement, that two babies aged four months and another one-year-old are among the latest Covid-19 cases detected in Sarawak, where the cumulative number of positive cases stands at 1,196 as of Friday (January 8).
