KUCHING: Some longhouses and villages in the state have taken the initiative to put up “No Entry” signs at their entrances in view of the hike in number of Covid-19 cases in the state.
Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala said such efforts showed that the Tuai Rumah and other village chiefs were serious in helping to restrict and control the movements of people in and out of their respective areas.
“This shows that the village chiefs and community leaders are taking the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) seriously.
“They recognise the dangers and hardships which can arise if Covid-19 infections were to spread to their rural areas.
“Therefore, I commend and appreciate these initiatives taken by the village and longhouse chiefs to protect their people and as part of the nationwide effort to break the Covid-19 chain of infection,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted today.
Tuai Rumah Eddy Jemat said the decision to ban outsiders from entering his longhouse located at KM 4 1/2, Jalan Bukit Kemuyang in Sibu was a proactive step to protect his people from the spread of Covid-19 infection.
“Following the increase in positive cases, we humbly would like to inform that all outsiders are prohibited from entering our longhouse area. The directive is effective Jan 10.
“Therefore, we seek the cooperation of all parties to adhere to the ban and work together to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he said in a Facebook post recently.
Other village chiefs also erected similar signboards at the entrances of their longhouses or villages to warn outsiders to stay out.
Besides issuing a similar notice, Rh John Kennedy in Rantau Jempai, Entabai, Julau also locked the gate to the longhouse.
“The entrance to the longhouse will always be locked 24/7 (24 hours a week) and the public who have important matters with the longhouse residents are only allowed to wait at the gate by honking their car horns to announce their presence,” said a notice at the longhouse.
Among other longhouses which have taken similar steps are Rh Jeffery Irut in Lubok Bukut, Mukah and Rh Adam in Sungai Nawang, Marudi.
