Search

Dayak community in Sibu urged to stay vigilant

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email

SIBU: The Dayak community in Sibu has been urged to stay vigilant and to not let their guard down in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Sibu branch chairman Chambai Lindong said the sudden increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases from the Pasai Cluster showed that many have let their guard down as Sibu was a green zone all this while.

“Many have thought Covid-19 only occurred in the Peninsula and Sabah, feeling quite safe, but the fact is the virus is everywhere around us,” he said, adding that it was very unfortunate that 19 longhouses in Pasai Siong have been placed under lockdown due to the spread of the Covid-19 infection.

He told Bernama that home quarantine is not a very good idea, not only at the longhouses but also at any individual houses and should be stopped immediately.

“Quarantine means you have to lock yourself up in the room but many do not have the discipline and tend to fall into temptation of mingling around with others. Hence, home quarantine must be stopped,” he stressed.

Chambai said having another movement control order (MCO) would not be good for the economy where many people will suffer.

“Now with the tamu (weekly) market is closed, nobody can sell their vegetables. If MCO is implemented, many could not go to work and lose their source of income. During MCO last year, many were left without income to buy food to feed their family and had to rely on assistance from the authority. This is something we cannot afford to have,” he said.

Despite the spike in the number of cases, Chambai believed that the figures could be brought down if everyone played their part responsibly to fight Covid-19.

On the current situation in Sibu and the adjacent towns, he said people are really scared as they have come to realisation that the virus was everywhere.

He also urged members of the Dayak community working or studying outside of Sarawak to refrain from returning to their hometown for the time being.

For those residing in the state, he advised them to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government such as wearing a face mask, maintain physical distancing and refrain from holding or attending any gatherings. ‒ Bernama

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.