KUCHING, May 22: Miri District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) has appealed to members of the public, especially the Dayak community in the district to refrain themselves from going back to their hometown or villages for the coming Gawai Dayak celebration in order to stop the spread of Covid-19.
According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), the Minister-in-Charge of Miri DDMC Datuk Lee Kim Shin in a press statement on Friday (May 21), said this is important and in line with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the extended Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) “Circuit Breaker” until June 7, 2021, that was announced by State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) recently.
“Miri DDMC is taking this matter seriously. We do not want the Covid-19 virus to spread to the rural or other interior areas because it will affect our efforts to cut the pandemic chain,” he said.
Lee, who is also State Transport Minister, also reminded the Iban community who are celebrating the coming Gawai Dayak celebration to adhere to the Gawai SOPs set by the government.
Apart from that, he said members of the public are also advised to continue to follow the latest Gawai SOPs for CMCO and EMCO issued on May 19, 2021 by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) and Sarawak Council for Native Customs and Traditions (Mais).
“It is crucial for the people from the urban areas to not return to their longhouses during this period. Protect our family members, especially those elderly with comorbidity such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and many others, and the disabled (OKU) and those who have yet to receive their vaccination.
“Miri DDMC once again reminded everyone to remain vigilant and continue to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 prevention SOPs,” he added. — DayakDaily
