Gearing up for shift to Phase 2

SDMC infographic spells out what Sarawakians can expect as state prepares for transition to next phase of National Recovery Plan

KUCHING: Sarawak is still in Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) with almost all regulations and standard operating procedures (SOP) unchanged, said the State Disaster Management Commi ee (SDMC).

However, an infographic on Sarawak’s NRP released by SDMC on Facebook yesterday stated that dine-ins will be allowed when the state moves into Phase 2, along with workplace capacity in the private sector increased from 30 per cent to 50 per cent.

“Once Sarawak enters Phase 2, there will not be any curfew. At present, people are not allowed in public places between 12.01am and 5am. There will not be any restrictions on public gathering during Phase 2. Presently, people are disallowed to gather exceeding two persons in public places,” said SDMC.

However, the commi ee pointed out that inter-district and inter-state travels will continue to be prohibited even a er Sarawak enters Phase 2.

It said more economic sectors will be opened up in Phase 2 with strict compliance to the guidelines set by the Local Government and Housing Ministry.

These include premises offering furniture, electrical appliances, kitchenware and household items, car wash services, car accessories, fashion and accessories, hair salons, cybercafes, night and weekend markets, as well as mobile phone and accessories outlets.

Economic activities under the negative list will still not be allowed.

Social gatherings including weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversary celebrations, receptions, reunions and retreats as well as tourism and culturerelated activities will also remain disallowed in Phase 2.

This also applies to entertainment activities such as night clubs and pubs, cinemas and karaoke including family karaoke.

Sports-related activities that enable physical distancing to be maintained will be allowed during Phase 2 of the NRP.

As for religious activities, the Sarawak Islamic Council and Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) will come up with their respective guidelines from time to time.

On whether schools and higher learning institutions will be reopened, SDMC said it would depend on the decision of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education.

Last Friday, SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Sarawak government had agreed to implement phase transitions of the NRP based on the threshold indicators provided by the federal government.

The threshold indicators are the daily number of Covid-19 cases, intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilisation rates, and percentage of Sarawak’s population completing both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.