By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Mar 12: A senior lawyer is calling for the suspension of all mass gatherings and to close schools for two weeks in view of the seriousness of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Datuk Idris Buang said there was a clear indication that Covid-19 was not subsiding, but making its way to Europe and other parts of the world.
“Figures released by WHO (World Health Organisation) shows the alarming increase of Covid-19 cases by the day.
“Italy has announced a total lockdown of the nation in an attempt to contain the spread of the pandemic.
“I think Sarawak should take the bold step of cancelling all public functions and mass gatherings, at least for two weeks.
“It won’t be too much that I humbly urge schools to be closed also for two weeks a precautionary step,” Idris told DayakDaily.
Idris, who is also Muara Tuang assemblyman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief, said Sarawakians should not wait until the worst happens before any steps are taken to contain the deadly virus.
In the latest update, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the past two weeks, the number of Covid-19 cases outside China had increased 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has tripled.
There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 people have lost their lives.
“In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths and the number of affected countries climb even higher,” said Dr Tedros in his daily report on Covid-19, which has classified the disease as a pandemic.—DayakDaily
