MIRI: Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin has discouraged people from Marudi and Long Lama from coming to Miri for Ching Ming Jie or Chinese All Souls Day as inter-zone movement is not permitted.
The minister-in-charge of Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) said those residing in Miri who wished to visit Fairy Park for the festival should apply for a police permit. He also said those from Bakam could come to Miri as Bakam was part of the district.
“Visitors should not all come at the same time – stagger the visiting times,” he urged when visiting Riam Road Cemetery here today to explain Ching Ming Jie standard operating procedures (SOPs) to the cemetery committee, accompanied by members of Miri DDMC.
He said the SOPs may need some modification at Riam Road Cemetery and it was one of the largest cemeteries in Miri.
He said one of the suggestions made to the Riam Road Cemetery committee was to put up MySejahtera QR codes on stands at different locations within the cemetery so that visitors could scan and register themselves.
“We would also like the committee to inform the public of the arrangements they have made and put up a number of banners around on the SOPs so that visitors are well aware of the SOPs to be complied with.
“There are four entrances in this cemetery – perhaps the committee can arrange two in and two out,” he said.
Lee said another suggestion made was to engage the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) to help monitor visitors and to assist with traffic flow.
“The SOP for graveyards and cemeteries includes that of only a maximum of eight in a family are allowed. The whole idea is we want to limit the numbers.
“At the same time, they must comply strictly with safety measures such as wearing face masks and using hand sanitiser. Those with symptoms should not come. Children and the elderly are discouraged from visiting,” he said.
Also present were Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong Siew Yu and Miri Division deputy health officer Dr Wong Khung Ying.
