The strategies formulated by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) can also be implemented in the event of other pandemics in the future.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said SDMC had formed strategies such as increasing the State Health Department’s (JKNS) testing capacity, providing laboratory equipment, and establishing a Special Contact Tracing Squad to conduct contact tracing for positive Covid-19 cases.
In addition, he said there was strict control along the border to curb the entry of disease carriers, including animals – with regard to rabies.
“SDMC has tightened the guidelines for entry into Sarawak through the online application EnterSarawak and the E-Health declaration form, while also preparing quarantine centres.”
He said the committee had also intensified the sharing of information and increase of awareness on the dangers of Covid-19 through various media channels and talks.
He said this in response to a question from Dr Hazland Hipni (PBB-Demak Laut) during the DUN sitting on Tuesday (Nov 10).
Uggah, who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, said they had learnt from the experience and management strategies of several nations which had effectively cut the Covid-19 transmission chain – such as South Korea, New Zealand, and China.
“These countries implemented the full-containment strategy with stringent aggressive testing, tracking, contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation, through which they were successful in diminishing the health crisis and its economic impact.”
