KUCHING: Although the country may be getting its first batch of the Covid-19 vaccine next year, Sarawakians must continue to remain vigilant.
This is because, when the vaccines are applied, it will take some time to roll out, said Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian when giving the reminder.
“With the vaccine coming in, we still cannot take things for granted until 70 percent of the population get vaccinated and this is to enable the country to achieve the herd immunity threshold (under the National Immunisation Plan),” he said during Vivacity Megamall’s 5th Anniversary celebration held at the mall today.
Sarawak is very blessed as the number of Covid-19 cases is low as this is the result of everybody’s cooperation, he pointed out.
“But we have to be on alert; otherwise it will be like Sabah. Before September, there were only 13 deaths reported due to Covid-19, but in between October and November, there were more than 200 deaths.
“If you look at the country’s Covid-19 figure, sooner it will be close to 80,000 cases. About half of the positive cases happened in the last four weeks, and about 25 percent of deaths in Malaysia were reported in the last four weeks,” he said.
This is why it is very important for the people to be alert at all times and continue with the new norm practices in order to curb the spread of the virus.
He noted that this year had been a tough and challenging year for everybody including the shopping mall operators.
“My ministry and the local councils including Kuching City South Council (MBKS) will try our best to work together with the shopping malls and everyone else through this difficult time,” he said.
He said the Sarawak government too was doing all it could to assist Sarawakian by providing special discounts on water bills under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS).
“We do all the necessary despite the hardest time. After this year, I am very sure Vivacity is read to bounce back and continue to provide lifestyle retail experience for the people in Kuching and Sarawak,” said Sim.
Meanwhile, the event also saw the presentation of donations to two non-government organisations namely Kuching Autistic Association and Kidney Association of Sarawak in conjunction with the shopping mall anniversary celebration.
Also present was MBKS mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng and Coramax Mall Sdn Bhd directors Sim Yaw Hang and Alan Sim Yaw Yen.
