MIRI: The Miri Disaster Management Committee (MDMC) has been applauded for taking the initiative in assisting operators and owners of spa and wellness centres, to observe the costs of taking swab compulsory tests for Sarawakian staff members and masseurs.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew lauded the committee following the decision by State disaster management committee (SDMC) in allowing spa and wellness centres to resume operation.
Ting pointed out that MDMC had taken the initiative with the Ministry of Health (MoH), and Miri City Council (MCC) in ensuring all staff members and masseurs in these centres in Miri division to undergo swab testing.
The decisions by MDMC include that all swab testing to be done at MoH and the cost of swab testing for Sarawakian staff members and masseurs to be borne by Sarawak government.
Ting hopes that the operators and owners of these centres will observe full compliance and kind cooperation in carrying out the measures for the safety of its staff members.
It is also hoped that other divisions in the state could follow similar initiatives as such efforts could largely reduce the burden off the shoulders of the operators in facing the trying times due to the present Covid-19 pandemic.
However, non-Sarawakians and foreigners would have to pay the cost accordingly.
“I am given to understand that the procedure for swab test is as follows.
“ Firstly Spa and massage centres are to collect the application form from Miri Resident’s Office (7th floor) or Miri City Council (MCC) office and fill it up.
“Secondly, the duly filled form should be passed to MCC as the lead agency for processing.
“Then MCC will conduct an inspection first whether the centre is ready with the said standard operating procedure (SOP).
“MCC will compile the inspection report and swab reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rT-PCR) tests report, and pass it to Resident’s Office.
“Lastly, Resident’s Office will issue a letter of approval to operate to the centres, thereby allowing them to resume operation.
“Though Miri is classified as green zone, we must nevertheless remind ourselves that we must continue to practise social distancing, good personal hygiene which includes wearing face mask in public places,” Ting concluded.
