Sarawak to reopen economy once herd immunity achieved in August

Economic activities in Sarawak are expected to resume when herd immunity is achieved after 80 percent of the people in the state have received Covid-19 vaccine in the third week of August.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said with herd immunity attained, the threat of Covid-19 infection would be reduced and the people could feel safer in carrying out their economic activities as usual.

“Our benchmark is 80 percent (people vaccinated) and maybe then the normal situation can return,” he told reporters after visiting an industry vaccination centre (PPVIN) at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) today.

However, he said the lifestyle would change even after returning to normal situation as the people would still have to adhere to the current standard operating procedure (SOP) such as wearing masks and practising personal hygiene.

According to him, as of yesterday, 64 percent or 149,743 people in Sibu Division had received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said about 13,000 industry workers including those from shipping companies, wood-based industries and plantations would be given vaccine jabs at the PPVIN UCTS from Monday.

He said the centre, which is capable of administering 2,000 shots of vaccine daily, would be opened to the public after all industry workers have received their first dose.

Abang Johari had earlier launched two buses for the Covid-19 outreach vaccination programme which are part of the four mobile teams in Sibu Division to go into targeted locations to vaccinate elderly and bedridden individuals who could not go to the PPV.

The PPV in Sibu Division now comprises Sibu Hospital, Kanowit Hospital. Sibu Jaya Health Clinic, Lanang Health Clinic, Selangau Health Clinic, Sibu Indoor Stadium, Sibu Jaya Multipurpose Hall, and Kanowit District Office Hall, are operated by the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Rejang Medical Centre will have a PPV at Dewan Suarah Sibu and KPJ Medical Specialist Centre will have a PPV at its premises while seven medical practitioners have been approved to vaccinate at their respective premises around Sibu.

- Bernama