MBKS to discuss visitor limit with shopping malls
KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will be holding discussions with the management of shopping malls on limiting the number of visitors at any one time as precautionary measures against Covid-19, said its mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
He said the number of visitors allowed at any one time would depend on the size of the shopping mall and such measures had already been practised in countries such as Singapore.
“Some of the other new measures we might introduce include only allowing individuals that have been classified as a lowrisk person by the MySejahtera app to enter shopping malls,” Wee said in his live session on Facebook yesterday.
On a separate matter, Wee said that the council would be lodging a police report regarding fake news about Covid-19 cases at Kenyalang Market before submitting it to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to carry out investigations.
He urged irresponsible parties to stop creating and spreading unfounded news on social media that could cause panic among the public and further hamper the business sector.
“I also urge everyone to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) stipulated by the authorities as we strive to overcome the pandemic.
“Sarawak was once the role model in battling the pandemic and I believe we can reclaim that spot again if we work together,” Wee said.
He noted that the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) had been amending the SOPs from time to time to reflect the current Covid-19 situation on the ground and he asked for patience and understanding from the people, especially the business community.
“I know that we cannot fulfil the demands of all parties but I would like to assure that no business sector has been discriminated against in this critical period of a pandemic.”
Wee said he had always been open to constructive feedback from the business sector on how best to address the challenges brought by the pandemic and he was ever ready to engage with all quarters, irrespective of political leanings.
“Communication is the key in sorting out all the differences between the decision makers and business community and to propose the best solutions. All of us must be on the same page and there is no need for fingerpointing.”
The mayor also expressed his gratitude to all food outlet operators for understanding the decision of the council and SDMC on banning dine-in services.
“Whether the no dine-in service directive will be extended, we will have to wait for SDMC to convene a meeting on the matter,” said Wee.