Sabah limits supermarkets only to those fully vaccinated, but less strict for now

 

Sabah will limit supermarket access to only those who are fully vaccinated.

However, the state's Covid-19 spokesperson Masidi Manjun said the rule will not be strictly enforced for now.

In an update to the state's Covid-19 SOPs last night, the National Security Council announced that only fully vaccinated individuals who are low risk would be allowed into supermarkets and be allowed to dine-in at eateries. This would apply to customers and workers.

This caused an uproar on social media with many saying it is cruel to prevent those who had not been vaccinated yet or are still waiting for their second dose from getting their groceries.

When contacted for clarification, Masidi said this rule will not yet be implemented in full force.

"The SOP remains as they are but enforcement would not be strict for the time being," he told Malaysiakini.

Masidi, who is also the state local government and housing minister, said the state government will give everyone a reasonable time to get vaccinated.

However, he said the end goal is still to restrict access to certain premises to only those who are fully vaccinated.

"If we dither on the rules, the public won't see the need to get vaccinated as a priority," Masidi added.

As of last night, only 19.6 percent of Sabah's adult population has been fully vaccinated, while 43.9 percent have had at least one dose. - Mkini