The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has decided that inter-zone travel will be allowed beginning Aug 15. – File photo
KUCHING (Aug 10): The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has decided that inter-zone travel will be allowed beginning Aug 15.
Its chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that the committee had examined the number of cases in Sarawak and discussed in detail with the Ministry of Health and tourism industry, taking the health and economic aspects of the state into account.
“After taking into consideration the issues mentioned, the committee has decided to allow inter-zone travel without needing permits from the police effective Aug 15,” he said in a press conference today.
SDMC on July 27 announced the inter-zone travel restriction effective Aug 1 to Aug 14, following a surge in Covid-19 cases in Kuching district that week, where Kuching District alone recorded 22 new cases on July 28 – the highest in Sarawak since the beginning of the pandemic in March.
The restriction prohibits travel between Zone 1 (Kuching, Serian and Samarahan Divisions) and Zone 2 (Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang Divisions).
On a related note, Uggah said all business premises must record the names and contact details of every individual entering their premises either manually or through the MySejahtera, Qmunity or CovidTrace apps.
Although it is by law for all business premises to use MySejahtera app to record visitors coming to their premises, Uggah said it is up to the visitors or customers which app or method they prefer to use when checking in.
“They (customers and visitors) will have more choices to check in,” he said, adding that it is not compulsory for customers and visitors to check in via MySejahtera app only.
On August 3, Senior Minister (Security) announced that it is mandatory for all business premises to mandate the use of MySejahtera app in their premises.
“We have made the decision that every premises must use the MySejahtera app.
“It is all right if they want to use other apps in addition to the MySejahtera App, such as Selangkah. But they must have the MySejahtera app.
“However, exemptions will be given to premises in rural areas that do not have stable Internet connectivity – they are allowed to keep manual records, ” he said in a press conference.