New SOPs enforced, but we won’t penalise offenders for now, says Masidi

 

Under the new SOPs, both workers and customers of eateries and hypermarkets must be fully vaccinated but in Sabah, the vaccination rate has been very slow. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Covid-19 spokesman Masidi Manjun says the authorities will go easy on businesses for now instead of penalising them if they do not comply with the latest SOPs on fully vaccinated workers and customers.

The SOPs demand that both workers and customers must be fully vaccinated before dining-in at eateries and shopping at hypermarkets will be allowed.

Responding to complaints from business groups that the government was being unfair by imposing the rule, Masidi said initial enforcement would be more of a reminder on the need to be vaccinated.

He said the government was aware that there are many in the business sector who have yet to receive any vaccine shots, urging the people to obtain their jabs at the nearest vaccination centres (PPVs) which allow walk-ins now.

“The enforcement of the SOPs for dining-in at eateries and (shopping at) hypermarkets will firstly be more in the form of education and reminders, not to punish,” he told FMT.

“We expect everyone in the business to be vaccinated within a month, now that vaccines are available.”

Eatery operators as well as the Sabah Employers Association had earlier today questioned the updated SOPs for Sabah released last night, suggesting it was unfair because of the state’s low vaccination rate.

The SOPs stated that while dining-in will be maintained in Sabah, all eatery operators must ensure only fully vaccinated staff and customers, with a low-risk status on their MySejahtera, enter their premises.

As for supermarkets and hypermarkets, only customers and workers who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to enter the premises.

However, Masidi, who is also Sabah local government and housing minister, pointed out the rule will still be implemented.

“It’s in their own health interest and the interest of the customers.

“The current high number of Covid-19 cases should be a good reason for everyone to put health security as the overriding concern.

“A lot of people also criticised us for allowing dining-in especially during this time when the infections are at an all-time high. Many want us to suspend dine-ins.

“Now, we introduce rules to create a safer environment for both the diners and operators but we are still criticised,” Masidi said. - FMT