KUCHING, Jan 14: There should no longer be double or multiple standards in the case of quarantines.
This is the view of Sarawak Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) Central Committee Treasurer Tiew Yen Houng when she said this is to avoid the recurrence of another Covid-19 outbreak triggered by exemption of quarantines at hotels.
She added State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) ought to learn from its mistakes and adopt a non-discriminatory approach in implementing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) so that the people of Sarawak do not continue to suffer.
In view of the recent implementation of Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri zones from Jan 13 to 26, she urged for the government to make more accurate assessments on existing situations and adopt a more rational approach for a balance between economic growth and epidemic prevention.
“People entering Sarawak must be compulsorily arranged to be quarantined at a designated place for 14 days, which is the common and unchanging wish of all Sarawakians.
“If the Sarawak government cannot prohibit the entry of foreigners, the epidemic prevention especially the isolation operation must be in place.
“Regardless of the identity of the other party, consistent actions should be taken,” she asserted in a statement today.
Moving on to the Covid-19 situation in Sibu of late, Tiew urged for all Sibuans to stay at home as much as possible since SDMC had disclosed that local confirmed cases had visited most places around the district.
She also encouraged members of the public who have been to the listed places to go for Covid-19 screenings as there exist the risks of infection without confirmed contacts with the positive cases.
Understanding that businesses have been adversely affected by the CMCO where some had to close down or shorten the operating hours, she advised all business operators to take full preventive measures and require all customers to strictly comply with the SOPs.
“If it is necessary to conduct physical business, the industry must also pay attention to its own health and safety, strictly abide by social distancing and epidemic prevention actions such as putting on face masks appropriately.
“As for coffee shops and restaurants, social distancing is significant,” said Tiew.—DayakDaily
