BINTULU: Assistant Minister of Native Laws and Customs Datuk John Sikie Tayai on Saturday expressed his concern about the spread of Covid-19 into the hinterland.
He said several longhouses in the Kakus area including Nanga Tau, Muput and Jalan Bukut Ladang Empat or Jalai Bukut had been infected with the Covid-19 virus.
Sikie, who is also Kakus assemblyman, urged longhouse residents, especially those involved in the active case detection (ACD) process for Covid-19 cases, not to go out.
He made the call after visiting the vaccination centre at Dewan Sukan Tatau.
Present during the vaccination programme were 379 vaccine recipients.
Sikie also emphasised the crucial role of village headmen and local community leaders in helping the police to curb the spread of Covid-19.
He felt that it was necessary for the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) and longhouse chiefs to impose restrictions in order to monitor the villagers’ movements.
For this year’s Gawai Dayak celebration, celebrants should stay put at their respective houses to curb the spread of Covid-19, he said.
“Our priority is our health,” he added.
Sikie also advised Gawai celebrants in the urban areas not to return to their longhouses for the Gawai Dayak celebration this year because of the Covid-19.
