BY NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY & SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA
KUCHING: The spike in Covid-19 cases reported nationwide has resulted in a travel ban from Sabah to Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan from Oct 12 until Oct 20.
The ban was announced by Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently.
However, special exemptions will be given in certain cases involving emergency, death, essential services and others.
“Those who have received permission must undergo Covid-19 screening by the Ministry of Health (MoH) as soon as they arrive at the entry points of their destinations,” added Ismail Sabri in a statement on the recovery movement control order (RMCO) on Tuesday.
New Sarawak Tribune talked to the public about this matter. Generally, they welcome the travel ban.
DAYANG NORKIAH ABANG JULAIHI (teacher)
‘The travel ban is appropriate to prevent the spread of Covid-19. As citizens, we must abide, obey and cooperate with the government for our own safety and well-being.’
NURIN AZYYATI NAZIFA AHMAD PATRA (student)
‘The ban is for the good of all Sabahans and the rest of the states in Malaysia to prevent more Covid-19 cases. However, the ban should last longer so that it can fully prepare the citizens mentally and lower the risks of another outbreak.’
LEA DOLEEDA LUNCHA GIRI (civil engineer)
“It’s not fair to impose the ban now. The federal government should have done it before the Sabah state election since there were cases building up in Sabah already by then. The politicians should have gone for contactless campaigning options such as online campaigns.’
AIDA YASMIN AZHAR (researcher)
‘Although the travel ban is to curb the spread of Covid-19, is it suitable as a long term solution? It is also important to focus on other aspects that are more effective such as vaccine development, domestic travel screening, patient monitoring, clear risk communication and investments in the public health system to control the spread of the virus.’
MOHD DANIEL ESHSAQ ABDULLAH (student)
‘The restriction of movements in states identified as red zones is good to stop the spread of Covid-19. The move to allow travel for those involved in emergency cases and essential services only with the consent of the Ministry of Health (MOH) shows that the government is concerned about the needs and welfare of the people.’
HANDY GUI (intern)
‘The travel ban is necessary for the safety of Malaysians and to contain the spread of the virus. As long as the vaccine for Covid-19 is not available, all extreme measures should be continued.’
