KUCHING, July 13: Despite lagging behind other states, Sarawak’s decision to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) tomorrow (July 14) is still highly welcomed by all Sarawakians.
Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Kuching Branch chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok said, it is better to detach the State’s road map from the central government’s timeline.
“This is because each State can be at a different phase of the NRP, as the infection rates are different from state to state,” he said in a statement today.
He also said the transition is timely as the State recorded a good daily vaccination rollout at more than 50,000 doses daily.
“With the consistent arrival of vaccines, it also helps us to keep up with the rollout which can meet the target of achieving herd immunity by end of next month.
“It is also heartening to note that by Sarawak Day which falls on July 22, we might have fully vaccinated about 50 per cent of our population and we might even move on to Phase 3 by end of this month which would give our Independence Day a new emphasis as we become free from the virus,” he added.
Sim emphasised that now is the time for Sarawakians to resume their livelihoods cautiously so that the State does not implement another lockdown again.
“As what we can see from the other countries that have good vaccination rates like the United Kingdom, United States (of America) and some European countries, many restrictions have been relaxed. Sectors like economic, business, sporting, domestic tourism and social events are allowed to resume with some at full capacity.
“So we can predict that this ongoing lockdown could be the last with our good vaccination rollout.
“However, until we have achieved herd immunity, we must continue to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as washing our hands, wearing our masks and keep our social distancing regardless of if we have been vaccinated,” he said. — DayakDaily
