SIBU, Aug 16: Businesses here are allowed to only start implementing the two-dose ruling at the end of this month, said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting.
He said as there are still many people who have not receive the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, it is only logical to implement the two-dose ruling starting at the end of August only.
When speaking to reporters during a visit to Farley Supermarket here today, he said the town is not ready to implement the ruling as stipulated in the new standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
Item 6.5 of the latest SOP stated that only employers and workers of the private sector, who have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, are allowed to work while owner and operator of premises need to ensure that only those customers who had received two doses of the vaccine are allowed to shop or acquire services. This can be done by checking their vaccination status.
“Last week I sent out letters to shopping malls and supermarkets, telling them to only allow people with one dose of vaccine into their premises. But three to four days later, with the State entering Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (except Southern Region) SDMC in its latest SOP, says if the public want to go anywhere they must have received two doses of the vaccine,” he said.
As at Aug 14, 95.2 per cent or 226,963 of adults, aged above 18 years old, had received their first dose and 87.3 per cent or 207,973 people their second dose in Sibu Division comprising Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau.
“Sbu Division DMC coordinator Dr Annuar Rapaee had told me that the town will only implement the two-dose ruling at the end of August. So we would like to stick to one dose only until end of August so as not to cause inconvenience to those jabbed with the first dose only,” said Ting.
In order to ensure that more people will be fully vaccinated, he said the Health Department here had intensified the vaccination programme.
A vaccination centre (PPV) has started at the central Market while a mobile one was stationed at the night market last weekend. — DayakDaily
