Sabah enforces phase 5 of MCO, allows certain sectors to reopen

The Sabah government says phase 5 of the MCO will be carried out in stages from today in accordance with the health ministry’s SOPs.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has decided to enforce phase 5 of the movement control order (MCO) by allowing certain industries to operate.

Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said, however, this would be done in stages from today in accordance with standard operating procedures of the health ministry.

In a statement, Shafie said that among the sectors allowed to resume operations were agriculture and the food industry, manufacturing and businesses providing logistical support such as transportation by land, jetties and ports.

“The state government has also decided to allow oil palm mills and plantations in Lahad Datu, Kunak and Kinabatangan to operate provided they are certified free of Covid-19 by the state health department.

“The government would like to stress that the safety and welfare of Sabahans are the state’s priority,” he said.

Yesterday, Shafie had said Sabah would continue to observe phase 4 of the MCO until May 12 as originally scheduled, and that the state would inform which sectors could open on May 12 itself. - FMT