Why the ‘half-baked’ entry SOPs, Sabah rep asks state govt

 

Visitors arriving in Sabah must undergo 14 days’ quarantine. (File pic)

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah assemblyman has taken the state government to task over the new entry SOPs which he described as “half-baked”.

DAP’s Sri Tanjong assemblyman Justin Wong said while the 14-day quarantine order was good, not being specific about whether they should undergo any tests would only make it difficult for them.

“The Sarawak government also imposes this 14-day quarantine but it specifically says that further swab tests should be taken on the second and 10th day (after the first test is negative). Sabah doesn’t say so,” Wong told FMT.

He was commenting on local government and housing minister Masidi Manjun’s statement that non-Sabah residents were now required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at hotels at their own cost.

At the same time, Sabahans, permanent residents or those having work permits must go under home isolation for 14 days upon entering the state.

All those intending to enter Sabah are required to take the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests instead of the antigen rapid test kit (RTK Ag).

Wong asked: “Why hasn’t the minister specified the details about tests during the quarantine period?”

He also questioned the need for those coming to Sabah, particularly returning Sabahans, to apply for a police permit for interstate travel.

“The need for such a permit is redundant with the 14-day quarantine order in place,” he said.

He said while interstate travel should not be encouraged at this time, the government should do away with cumbersome rules that would only make life difficult particularly for Sabahans.

The Sabah government had decided to tighten restrictions for entry into the state after two index cases originating from Labuan triggered Covid-19 clusters in the east coast Tawau district.

Wong said that with the enhanced measure being imposed on those entering Sabah, it was timely for the state government to start conducting mass testing on all residents.

He also said the state government should not wait for vaccine supply from the federal government.

“Why doesn’t the state government initiate its own vaccination programme exclusively for the residents of Sabah?

“The Sarawak chief minister had announced that the state will purchase 500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine for the people. The Sabah government should also do it,” he said. - FMT