‘SDMC has taken all necessary steps to curb Covid-19 spread in Sarawak’

KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has taken all the necessary steps to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state, said its chairman Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

He said the committee’s role was mainly to issue standard operating procedure (SOP) and guidelines, as well as enforce laws and monitor the implementation of SOP, while the Sarawak government had also provided the necessary allocations for operations to tackle the spread of the infectious disease.

“Once again, Covid-19 positive cases in Sarawak have increased significantly, leading to some people blaming SDMC on social media for the rise in cases.

“Looking at the current situation, SDMC has taken steps and allocations have been provided by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he said yesterday.

Uggah pointed out that the situation could only be controlled with cooperation from all parties, including the local communities who each had its respective role to play to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

“SDMC has issued the guidelines for social events and these should always be complied with.

“Too many lives have been lost and victims have suffered as a result of this disease. That should be a lesson to all of us,” he stressed.

He also touched on the lockdown of villages across the state, where 407 longhouses had been placed under lockdown this year due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.

“At present, only 48 longhouse areas are still under lockdown. This shows that the situation in rural areas seem to be under control.

“But whether this can continue or not, depends on the people themselves as they must continue to adhere to the SOP, and remain cautious so that the virus would not spread into their respective areas,” he said.

With Sarawak being hit by three Covid-19 waves throughout last year, Uggah reiterated his call for the people to remain vigilant and engage in a ‘safetyfirst’ attitude to ensure that the disease would not continue to spread.

“Please do not be complacent and careless and do take care of your health as well as your family.”