By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, April 20: The State Disaster Management Committee has overturned the decision it made earlier to allow returning Sarawakians to be quarantined at their homes.
This following three Sarawakians who recently returned to the state and were detected to have contracted the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
“The committee has decided to reverse its earlier decision and put returning Sarawakians to be quarantined at the respective quarantine centres upon arrival at their final destination.
“From time to time, we will continue to review the decision that we have made. This to make sure our strategy to cut the (Covid-19) infection chain is effective,” Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas told a daily press conference on Covid-19 updates in Sarawak at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
He added that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swap test will be taken on the seventh day upon their (Sarawakians) return.
Yesterday, Uggah, who is also the committee chairman, said Sarawakians returning from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah or Labuan would be quarantined at home for 14 days and they will be monitored by the Health Ministry.
However, the three positive cases, one in Kuching and two in Miri, have led to a reversal in the decision.
On a related note, Uggah said another seven Sarawakians have returned to the state yesterday. Five of the individuals were placed at a hotel in Bintulu and two at a hotel in Limbang.
To date, 1,493 Sarawakians have returned to the state in the past two weeks and classified as persons under surveillance (PUS). Of the lot, 186 have completed their 14 days quarantine period and allowed to leave for home.
All returning Sarawakians would be placed at 16 designated hotels across the state. — DayakDaily
