KUCHING: Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) has recommended for easing of restrictions in Covid-19 green zones so that the state’s economy can start moving forward.
Chairman Datuk Dr John Lau Pang Heng however stressed that border controls for inter-district travel would have to be tightened, otherwise those from red zones would find ways to work in green zones and this would increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
“If this cannot be done effectively, then it is better for everyone to fight and eliminate Covid-19 together as a nation,” he said.
He said that the government would have to choose which industries should be allowed to open during the fourth phase of the movement control order (MCO) period and which should not, based on the locality of the different coloured zones.
He added that businesses which were allowed to operate should be limited by operation times and number of working days per week.
“I believe that with proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maximised social distancing of workers in production lines with a reduced workforce, this would help the economy to improve slowly and increase the confidence of the public instead of the current standstill situation.
“The government should encourage or instruct companies to purchase insurance for their employees if they want to start operations, with minimum workers,” Lau said.
This could also assist in reducing hospital expenses if cases should occur.
He noted that while there were positives to allowing businesses to operate on varying levels between green, yellow and red zones, this could result in unfair competition.
For example, he said there were industrial parks located in green, yellow and red zones in Sarawak.
He noted that Sarawak had numerous districts under green zone with the latest being Mukah, Sarikei, Sibu and Limbang.
SCPA recommended for the government to make decisions after careful analysis based on social and economic needs, rather than political consideration.
