By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Aug 29: Sarawak will abide by the extended Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) until December 31 as it will help to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“We follow the RMCO (as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last night). It’s a national (policy). But it’s a relaxed one, recovery MCO. It should be okay.
“We cannot take things for granted also as you know even in New Zealand, there is a spike of Covid-19 cases,” Abang Johari told reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Women’s Day 2020 event at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here today.
He was commenting on the prime minister’s announcement last night that the government has decided to extend the RMCO as there are new Covid-19 clusters in certain localities throughout the country and also considering that the virus is still active worldwide.
“So, in the interest of the people, the government has decided to extend the RMCO until December 31, 2020,” Muhyiddin said during a live telecast aired by both RTM and Astro Awani last night.
According to Muhyiddin, during the RMCO period, the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Act 342 would still be enforced.
“This is to ensure that all parties will comply with the Standard Operating Procedures and health protocol standards,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the government was mulling increasing the present fine of RM1,000 under the present RMCO against those who break the law at least two to threefold.
The RMCO, which was implemented on June 10, was supposed to end on August 31, after the government ended the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which was implemented end of May. Prior to that, Malaysia imposed the partial lockdown—MCO—on March 18, following a sharp spike of Covid-19 cases in the country.
On face masks, Muhyiddin gave assurance that the government will find ways to reduce the cost of face masks in the fight against the dreaded disease. — DayakDaily
