KUCHING: Smoking ban in eateries have taken a backseat for the time being as enforcement teams from local councils have been directed to focus on the war against Covid-19, said Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos.
He said local council enforcement teams have little time for anything else, adding that all quarters including the government and the people were focused on combating Covid-19.
“Enforcement officers from the councils, police, and People’s Volunteer Corps not only help to enforce the directives and standard operating procedures (SOPs) but also to organise talks and briefings on the pandemic and related matters.
“Since March last year, they have been extremely busy with their pandemic duties,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Saying that these personnel were frontliners just like doctors and nurses, he commended them for their hard work and taking personal risks.
He noted that the various local councils acted differently and at their discretion.
“We at MPKS focus on telling, advising and lecturing on the dangers of Covid-19 and why everyone must do their part in fighting the virus.
“We do not like to fine people, except the very stubborn and repeated recalcitrant ones,” he said.
Minos said up until now, the police had fined a few hundred people, mostly during the early part of the pandemic last year.
He said by the beginning of this year, the public had generally accepted the government’s anti-Covid-19 measures and SOPs, resulting in less fines and penalties.
“With the vaccines coming, we hope that by December this year, Covid-19 will be substantially gone,” he said.
