By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Aug 6: Beginning this August, it’s time for Sarawakians and the State to learn ways of living responsibly with Covid-19.
State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said in June this year, the Sarawak government focused on saving lives by accelerating vaccination and in July, livelihoods were considered with the opening of some economic activities in stages.
With Sarawak soon reaching herd immunity while Covid-19 stays on but with different variants emerging, he said the State and its people would have to continue on “as shops cannot be closed forever”.
The answers to the how’s might be complex, he said, but it is vital for everyone to uphold their responsibilities by practising the “BTTISR”.
Dr Sim advised all Sarawakians to ‘B’e there for vaccination while the authorities ‘T’race down Covid-19 cases, go for ‘T’ests when feeling unwell and ‘I’solate yourselves before receiving the results.
At the same time, the Sarawak government will continue to ‘S’upport the people as each and every member of the State takes their ‘R’esponsibility seriously in fighting Covid-19.
“Unfortunately the war with Covid-19 is different from any other wars. In the Second World War, houses get destroyed, but with Covid-19, homes get destroyed. It means family members are lost though the houses stand.
“Covid-19 does not destroy hospitals too, but it disrupts and collapses the hospital system with nurses and doctors suffering. That’s why we need to change our mentality and approach.
“With the ever changing variants like Delta, we need to change our policy as well because we cannot lock down Sarawak forever,” he said after officiating the handover ceremony of Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 6.0 financial assistance to hawkers and coffeeshop owners at Kenyalang Park Market here today.
By including coffeeshop operators into the BKSS package for hawkers and petty traders, the Minister for Local Government and Housing said there are now about 60,000 beneficiaries of the RM1,500 cash assistance through Sarawak Pay.
Among those present at the ceremony were Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang Ministry of Local Government and Housing health officer Billy Sujang. — DayakDaily
