KUCHING: Malaysians including Sarawakians who want to enter Sarawak must have permits from the police and the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail confirmed this requirement today.

“The same requirement is needed to exit Sarawak to travel to Malaya or Sabah,” he said, adding that who enter Sarawak must be quarantined for 14 days quarantine at designated centres.

In addition, SDMC has issued a directive stating that inter-zone travel is allowed for essential services only from April 19 to May 2.

The essential services are public transportation, deliveries of food and other daily necessities, and handling of emergency situations.

Aidi stressed that all social visits are not allowed within the two weeks.

Early this week, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani stated that inter-state travels for work, medical and educational purposes, emergencies, and death are only allowed from Monday to Thursday. Married couples who live far apart are also given this permission.

“Inter-state travels for social events such as weddings and other gatherings remain prohibited until after the Aidilfitri season.

“The police view seriously the increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases over the past few days and have beefed up efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic,” he said.