Dr Rundi (left) observes as a man is vaccinated.
KUCHING (July 8): Sarawak may consider easing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and allow more sectors to reopen as it is on the right track towards the second phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
The Utilities Minister said many states had moved on to Phase 2 of the NRP and he believed it would be Sarawak’s turn next.
“Our figures were supposed to be around 353 yesterday and the day before we were 289 and 286 — we are still below that,” he said after visiting the industrial vaccination centre (PPVIN) at Mydin Vista Tunku in Petra Jaya today.
“So SDMC (State Disaster Management Committee) is looking at how we can ease our SOPs in terms of economy and so on, opening a lot of things, the economic activities.”
He pointed out Sarawak has managed to vaccinate over 60 per cent of its population where around 1.3 million in the state have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, while around 20 per cent have completed two doses.
“Our plan is to make sure all Sarawakians and those who live and work in Sarawak are vaccinated. Our expectation is that by the end of August, we should be able to cover not less than 85 per cent of individuals aged 18 and above,” he said.
He noted that while initially the vaccination roll out was slow due to vaccine supply, now that the issue has been resolved the vaccination drive can be properly planned and carried out.
On his visit, he said the Mydin PPVIN, which started operating today, is targeting to administer 3,042 recipients with their first dose by Saturday.
He said the centre would then reopen in three weeks’ time to administer the second dose.
Dr Rundi said the state government would also continue to ensure Sarawakians receive aid and are protected in the fight against Covid-19.
This can be seen from the government spending billions on the six Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) packages and other subsidies.
For subsidies on utilities such as electricity, Dr Rundi said the state government had started giving discounts even before the pandemic, and would continue to do so.
“We have spent millions. That is not the question. The question is that we make sure that life is comfortable and at ease, especially at this point of time. We will continue to do so until the pandemic is over.
“So that is the state government’s stand as far as trying to assist and to help the people in Sarawak,” he added.