KUCHING, July 29: Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the decision taken by SDMC is very timely in view of the recurrence of Covid-19 in the State and that it is one of the strategies to contain the spread of Coivd-19 pandemic in the Sarawak especially in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions.
“It is important that both passengers and crew members of the airlines comply strictly with the standard operating procedures issued by Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) and SDMC while they are at terminal and inside the aircraft,” said Lee in a statement today.
He said the reduction in flight frequency affected airline companies including Malaysia Airlines, MASwings, Malindo Air, AirAsia and Scoot Airlines.
“In view of the current health situation in the State, the SDMC had on July 29, 2020, decided to introduce restriction on travelling between Zone 1 covering Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions and Zone 2, which consists of other divisions covering from Sri Aman to Limbang effective from August 1, 2020.
“Therefore, individuals who intend to travel between these two Zones must first obtain police permit before purchasing their tickets. Nevertheless, there might be others who had purchased their tickets beforehand for their travel starting on/after August 1, 2020 and these people must also obtain the police permit before boarding for their travel.”
Lee who is also Senadin assemblyman stressed that the requirements determined by SDMC, apply to the airlines, express boats and regional buses services operating between the two Zones in Sarawak.
“It is incumbent upon the airline companies, express boat operators and regional bus companies to make sure that only passengers with police permits are allowed to board their carriers and travel between the two Zones.
“In addition, the relevant government agencies including Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Police (PDRM) have been directed to monitor compliance to the directives issued by SDMC in respect to travel restriction which is indeed meant for the safety of the public in our effort to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Let us all work together to make Sarawak free from Covid-19,” said Lee. — DayakDaily
