Sarawak approves more inbound flights from today

KUCHING: Following its success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has given the nod to increase the number of flights into Sarawak.

Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said a total of 331 weekly scheduled flights had been approved between July and August this year, a substantial increase from just one weekly flight by Malaysia Airlines between Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Miri during the movement control order (MCO).

“The decision to approve and increase the frequency of flights between Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak and vice versa was made (on June 15) after taking into consideration various factors,” he said in a statement.

These include improvement in the Covid-19 containment situation in the state, the need to stimulate the domestic economy, especially the tourism sector, and to facilitate movement of goods and people for business, official and personal reasons.

“For the month of July and August 2020, Malindo will increase its flights to twice daily, Scoot to add another flight weekly from Singapore and AirAsia Bhd will increase its flights tremendously including putting Singapore in its routes,” he said.

Lee said although approval had been given to increase flight frequency and on 100% capacity, all agencies such as the airport and airline operators must follow strictly the standard operating procedure (SOP) at the terminal and while inside the aircraft.

These include the screening of body temperature before entering the airport terminal, requirement for crew and passengers to wear face masks and to use hand sanitisers, with additional requirement for passengers to download and complete their information on the MySejahtera app.

“(Passengers are also required to) fill in the e-Health declaration form at http://sdmc.sarawak.govy.my, and download the COVIDTrace Sarawak and Qmunity apps besides subjected to random PCR (polymerase chain reaction) sample on arrival,” he said.