‘Sarawak won’t enforce CMCO until it conducts study on it’
KUCHING: Sarawak will not enforce the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) tomorrow until it has completed a study on its implications.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said the Sarawak government came to the decision after taking into consideration several factors, including the state’s Covid-19 situation, the capacity of the state Health Department, the logistic capability and the geographical circumstances.
“The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has found that many of the standard of compliance of the reopening of the economic activities will not be conducive in the state.
“Therefore, all directives announced under the previous three phases of the Movement Control Order (MCO) will remain in force for now.
“However, Sarawak will announce in stages the reopening of economic activities and other sectors,” said Uggah, who is SDMC chairman, yesterday.
He said the state government respected the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on reopening the economy by relaxing some restrictions under the MCO through the implementation of the CMCO.
“However, the state government has decided to study the implications of the reopening of some economic activities by looking into which sectors to open, when and to what extent they will be allowed to open.
“SDMC intends to make a decision after it has studied the changes in the regulations under Act 342 (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988) pursuant to the announcement by the prime minister.
“SDMC must ensure that the reopening of economic activities and sectors suits the circumstances in Sarawak.”
He said businesses given the green light by the International Trade and Industry Ministry to resume operations during the fourth phase of the MCO must get the state government’s approval through the SDMC before they could operate.