KUCHING: Parents here are taking the necessary steps to protect their children from the risk of contracting Covid-19.
For mother-of-two Julica Sibat, she would steer clear of all crowded public places.
Moreover, the 49-year-old has cancelled all plans to travel outside Sarawak.
“We made plans to bring the children to Genting Highlands and Langkawi (during the one-week school break), but had to cancel them.
Julica Sibat
“We don’t mind visiting areas within Sarawak, which has many interesting places.
“Most importantly, we are reducing our visits to public places here such as the supermarkets and hawker’s centres,” she said when contacted yesterday.
Julica, a nurse by profession, also advised other parents to bring their children to the clinic should they show key symptoms such as high fever, or have come into close contact with family members or relatives returning from overseas.
When asked if she thought that the school holidays should be extended, she saw no necessity for it for now, in that there was no report of Covid-19 cases detected among school-children.
Still, she stressed that the children must exercise strict precautions such as wearing face masks, washing their hands and applying sanitiser liquid regularly, and avoiding close physical contact with other people such as shaking hands or hugging.
Julica’s younger sister Jersyca Sibat also expressed similar sentiments, adding that it would be better for everyone to stay indoors and avoid making close social contact in view of the current Covid-19 situation in Sarawak.
Milton Foo
She also agreed with the suggestion of extending the school holidays, but was quick to point out that this could ‘affect the children’s studies’.
For Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth Central secretary-general Milton Foo, he opined the move to extend the school break should be based on the level of severity of the Covid-19 situation here.
“If the number of contracted cases is escalating, then I think the school holidays should be extended.”
Asked about his plans for his daughter during the holidays, Foo said he would buy some books for her to read at home.
“I also think that it is the best time for her to practise playing the piano.”
Meanwhile, Sharp Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd sales executive Vincent Lim said he plan to visit a bookstore or a library, and get some books for his child to read at home.
Additionally, he was all for the ‘extended-holiday suggestion’.
“Perhaps, there should be a ‘good guideline’ for parents to help their children in their studies,” he said.