By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Oct 1: Non-Sarawakian Malaysian citizens and foreigners from Sabah and Labuan are not allowed to enter Sarawak from Oct 4 until Oct 18.
This was among the decisions made by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) during a meeting today.
SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the committee has made several drastic and strict decisions to tighten border control as part of measures to prevent imported Covid-19 cases in Sarawak.
“The committee is aware of the increasing positive cases of Covid-19 daily which happened outside of Sarawak.
“Brunei has tightened the entry of foreigners at their border and land checkpoints.
“Thus, SDMC has drafted a strategy to protect this state from keeping on receiving imported cases from outside of Sarawak,” he told a press conference to give updates on the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak today.
Nonetheless, Uggah who is the Deputy Chief Minister added Sarawakians in Sabah are still allowed to return to the state, but they need to apply for entry through the enterSarawak app and fill up the electronic health declaration form (e-HDF).
Uggah added that they will also be required to observe the 14-day quarantine period at designated quarantine centres.
Sarawakian returnees from Sabah will need to undergo the rapid test Polymerase Chain Reaction (rt PCR) for Covid-19 on the second and the tenth day of their return to the state.
Uggah revealed that the cost of the Covid-19 swab test for Sarawakian returnees will be paid for by the state government.
Uggah who is the Second Finance Minister added essential services including delivery service workers using land transportation are required to apply for a special letter from the Divisional Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) in Miri or Limbang.
They must also undertake the rt PCR test prior to starting work, and must undertake the Covid-19 swab test every 14 days until the next instruction.
Uggah who is Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister said those passing through Brunei must adhere to the latest directive from the Brunei government.
Malaysians and foreigners from Peninsular Malaysia seeking to enter Sarawak from Oct 4 until Oct 18 need to apply for entry through the enterSarawak app and fill up the e-HDF.
Uggah added that they need to undergo the 14-day quarantine period and their Covid-19 swab tests will be taken on the second and tenth day upon arrival, with the cost to be borne by themselves.
Meanwhile, non-Sarawakian essential service personnel coming to Sarawak for official duty will need to apply for entry through the enterSarawak app and fill up the e-HDF in addition to taking the rt PCR test three days prior to their flight to Sarawak.
As for Sarawakians in Peninsular Malaysia, Uggah said they are allowed to return to Sarawak but must also apply for entry through the enterSarawak app and fill up the e-DHF.
Uggah added that Sarawakians from Peninsular Malaysia returning to the state will also be required to wear special wristbands and undergo a 14-day quarantine. Their Covid-19 swab tests will be taken on the second day upon their return.
Uggah pointed out that if their Covid-19 swab test results were negative, they will be allowed to observe the balance of their quarantine period at home and be given a home surveillance order (HSO).
Apart from that, he said Sarawakian returnees from Peninsular Malaysia are also required to go to the nearest health clinic to undertake their Covid-19 rt PCR test on the tenth day of their return, adding that the cost will be borne by the state government.
For Sarawakians categorised as essential service workers who are required to perform official duties in Peninsular Malaysia, Uggah revealed they are allowed to go to Peninsular Malaysia and are required to apply for reentry to Sarawak using the enterSarawak app as well as filling up the e-HDF.
He said they are required to seek approval from their respective head of department and upload their invitation letters for their meeting into the enterSarawak app before being allowed to return without being quarantined at quarantine centres.
Uggah said their Covid-19 swab tests will be taken upon their return back to Sarawak and they will be required to wear special wristbands.
He added that they will be under HSO until their Covid-19 test results are negative.
Uggah said for those who have tested negative for Covid-19, they may upload their results into the enterSarawak app together with their official invitation letters to meetings before being allowed to return without undergoing quarantine at quarantine centres.
Uggah emphasised that all the directives are effective from Oct 4 to 18.
“We want to protect Sarawak so that we will be able to break the chain of Covid-19. Therefore, the committee has decided to take drastic and strict measures for the public health and safety of the people,” he added. — DayakDaily
