Negative Covid-19 result, police permit needed to enter Kapit; no more dine-in allowed

The Kapit Wharf

KUCHING, April 26: Like Bintulu and Sibu, stringent standard operating procedures (SOPs) are now in place in Kapit district to put a stop to Covid-19 spread.

According to the latest SOPs released by Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, the movement of entering and leaving Kapit district are not permitted except for movement related to essential services, and other industrial, business and manufacturing activities.

Entry to Kapit is only allowed when an individual can produce a negative rT-PCR test result and police permit.

The number of passengers for essential service vehicles is according to the capacity of the vehicle, where the operators and employees involved have to undergo a rT-PCR test every 14-days.

Exception is given when funeral is concerned. However, even in such a case, the travel must not exceed four days where the individual has to obtain a special approval from divisional health officers, other than the police permit.

These are the latest SOPs released by SDMC in view that CMCO in Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Betong, Bintulu, Sarikei and Kapit has been extended to May 17, 2021.

Apart from strict control over entry to Kapit Division, other strict measure to contain Covid-19 is to prohibit dine-ins where food and beverage businesses are only allowed to offer takeaways, drive-throughs and deliveries.

Farmers’ markets and night markets are allowed to operate but under the supervision of the local government authorities and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela). However, this does not apply to districts that are classified as Covid-19 red zones.

Meanwhile, M.I.C.E (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) for all business activities, seminars, workshops, lectures courses and conferences are prohibited.

The operation of farmers market, “Pasar Tamu”, night bazaar and Ramadhan Bazaar in Kapit, Song, Belaga and Sungai Asap town are not allowed.

This also applies to the opening of gymnasium, karaoke center, spa and reflexology.

Operation hours for all businesses are limited to 6am to 8pm while petrol stations are permitted to operate only from 6am to 5pm.

Shopping malls, supermarkets and departmental stores are allowed to operate without exceeding 50 per cent of the premises capacity or a maximum of 30 customers while all SOP must be in place.

For smaller retail shops, their operation is permitted but with only 50 per cent premises capacity and maximum of 10 people and strict SOP to be followed.

For the public transport services such as buses, express bus, rental vans and express boats, they are allowed to operate, but limited to 50 per cent capacity only. For private transportation, only three are allowed in any vehicle. — DayakDaily