By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 8: People arriving much earlier than their scheduled appointment for Covid-19 vaccinations at the Indoor Stadium will not be allowed to take a queue number but instead will be seated in a separate waiting area until it gets nearer to their allotted time slot.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian reminded again that people just have to arrive 30 minutes before their vaccination appointment time as there is a system in place at the Indoor Stadium vaccination centre which is prepared to cater to a number of recipients for the day.
“This is to avoid chaos, overcrowding and long queue lines that could disrupt and decrease the efficiency of the workflow process at the vaccination centre.
“Just like checking-in for your flight. You don’t need to go to the airport in the morning if your flight is in the afternoon. The check-in counter will not be opened when it is not the time yet.
“Even during transit when you don’t have to get out of the airport, the boarding gate will not be opened until it is time,” he shared in a Facebook post yesterday (June 7).
As such, Dr Sim who is also the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor, pointed out that a new workflow has been set up for those who arrive much earlier than their given vaccination slot at the Indoor Stadium vaccination centre.
“If you arrive too early, you will be seated in a separate waiting area and still not (sic) allowed to take a number for the queue,” he said.
This measure was activated following a chaotic Friday (June 4) with some 2,000 to 3,000 vaccination registrants irrespective of morning or afternoon appointment sessions arriving as early as 6am before the Indoor Stadium vaccination centre opened for its daily vaccination rollout at 8am.
Covid-19 One Stop Centre commander-in-chief Dr Cheong Yaw Liang had on numerous occasions reminded people to follow their appointment schedule as they will not be allowed to cut the queue and there was no such thing as a standby list where people can get jabs from extra doses of vaccines at the centre.
Dr Sim added that people can save themselves the frustration of having to wait long hours as well as avoid putting further stress on the staff and volunteers who have to manage and ensure the vaccination programme runs smoothly in a safe and secure environment.
“Everyone is working under enormous pressure. A simple smile and words of encouragement can make a difference to frontliners especially healthcare workers who have been stretched thin and (are) facing a burnout.
“Let’s all help each other to allow the vaccination centre to run smoothly and efficiently to serve the people better,” he added. — DayakDaily
