No need for lockdown yet

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has not reached the total lockdown necessity level yet but the government is open to the option to flatten the Covid-19 pandemic curve in the state, said Local Government and Housing minister cum Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

Masidi added the decision must be made by taking into account the factors that would affect the people in Sabah.

“The National Security Council (MKN) will consider all available options by taking into account the cases and also the development of Covid-19 cases in the country.

“But for now, we have not reached that level, although the option is thought about or considered later. But we are open to this option with the intention to eradicate and flatten the cases to a controlled [level],” he said during the state Covid-19 daily report press conference at Wisma Innoprise here yesterday.

Masidi stressed that they have to be careful in every decision because whatever decision made, the implication is high or many.

“We are not only managing the Covid, we are also managing Covid whilst taking into account our economic management. Everyone is aware that our economy is at a relatively low level due to this pandemic.

“We also take into account that not all the people earn or have a fixed income. There are also people who depend on income from various careers, which every day, their source of income is from business activities and so on to support their families.

“So, we also have to take into account this group in every decision that will result in them not having the opportunity to earn a living to meet the needs of their families. Ultimately, the decision is mainly to make sure we can resolve and manage this pandemic in total and I am just sharing the factors taken into account before the government makes a decision,” he explained.

Masidi was responding to a press query regarding a viral rumor on an impending total lockdown in Sabah.