Chong suggests mass testing at areas where Covid-19 positive cases reported
KUCHING: State Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen calls on the authorities to do mass testing at areas where Covid-19 positive cases have been reported.
According to the Stampin MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, a few Covid-19 cases have been detected at Batu Kawa Old Bazaar and this has raised concern among the traders there.
“Traders there say they have requested for a mass testing to be carried out at the old bazaar but the authorities have rejected saying they should drive to Dewan Masyarakat for swab tests.
“Traders say it is not convenient for them to drive all the way to Dewan Masyarakat,” he said during his Facebook Live session yesterday following a visit to the Batu Kawa Old Bazaar in the morning.
Chong felt that the authorities should conduct mass testing at the old bazaar as he reasoned that mass testing had proven in many countries to be an effective means to curb the spread of the virus.
He said the state government should not hesitate to carry out mass testing to identify positive cases as soon as possible so as to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.
“Not only should mass testing be carried out but swab test results must be made known in 48 hours to effectively contain the spread.”
According to him, the authorities concerned have already done disinfection at the old bazaar but traders there remain concerned about the risk of infection.
He reiterated that the authorities should conduct mass testing there to ensure peace of mind among the traders and residents.
To help businesses address cash flow problem, Chong asserted that it was high time for the state government to utilise Sarawak’s RM26 million worth of state reserve.
He said there was no point for the state reserve to earn interest while businesses out there suffered because of the various movement control orders that had been put in place to stop the pandemic.
“Some businesses such as wellness and massage centres are ordered to close due to the pandemic. During MCO, they were closed and even during CMCO, RMCO and EMCO, they remain closed without any government assistance.
“They are facing cash flow problem due to closure and not getting any government cash aid. We hope the government will be more caring to help them address their financial constraints,” he added.