SIBU: In view of the Gawai Dayak celebration on Tuesday, those celebrating were reminded to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew also said the practice of visiting or ngabang should be avoided.
“If any of this happens, positive cases in Sibu will continue to increase as seen during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration,” said the senator on Sunday.
The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan Branch chairman said that due to non-compliance of the SOPs during Hari Raya, it had contributed to the increase in positive Covid-19 cases.
“We must learn from what happened during the Hari Raya celebration.
“This is because positive Covid-19 results can only be determined in the next week or two and if the numbers spike, it means there was a violation of the SOPs,” he said.
He hoped that the Dayak community, while celebrating the harvest festival, will also comply with the SOPs and flatten the curve in the coming weeks.
Lau also said that longhouse committee members and Tuai Rumah should play their respective roles to monitor the situation at their respective longhouse.
At the same time, he also urged those living in the city to not return to their respective villages to celebrate Gawai.
“I know that this is the second year in a row that Gawai has to be celebrated like this.
“However, we have no choice but to play our respective roles together to reduce infections in Sarawak.
“The number of cases now depends on our own attitude, so I urge the Dayak community to continue to abide by the SOPs to help the government to flatten the curve this festive season,” he said.
Apart from that, he called on the Dayaks to sympathise and remember the sacrifices of the frontliners who are still struggling in the hospital to treat Covid-19 patients.
“Our frontline workers at the hospital are fighting with all their might. Let’s not burden them and our health system even more. I urge you to celebrate this Gawai with full vigilance and safety,” said Lau.
