KUCHING: Sarawak will adopt the Health Ministry’s new COVID-19 regulations and protocols which will take effect from Sunday, the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said.

This statement was made in its daily COVID-19 update that the decision to use the regulations and protocols announced by the Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday after a meeting to examine Sarawak’s current situation and the measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus during the transition to endemic phase.

“The public has been advised not to be complacent and remain vigilant despite the relaxation of the standard of procedures (SOPs).

“Ensure that health recommendations and advice are being practised at all times,” the committee said.

Additionally, the COVID-19 cases will only be released every Monday on a weekly basis and the decision will be effective from May 1 2022.

This decision was made following the improvement of COVID-19 situation in Sarawak as well as the high vaccination rate among the adult population.

SDMC noted that 91 per cent of the adult population have completed their vaccinations while 75 per cent have received their booster doses.

The COVID-19 daily cases, hospital admission rate due to COVID-19 as well as the usage of the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have seen downward trends.

The committee also took the availability of the Paxlovid Antiviral pills to treat COVID-19, RTK Antigen kits for self-tests, and the capability of hospitals in Sibu, Miri and Kuching to cater to any sudden spike in cases into consideration.

On Wednesday, the Health Ministry announced that face masks are no longer mandatory in open spaces and outdoors effective from May 1.

In addition, physical distancing will also be optional starting next week and the public will not be banned against handshakes along with MySejahtera check-ins are not a must anymore.

Meanwhile, in the business aspect, nightclubs will finally be allowed to resume business by May 15 with certain protocols to be announced by the MoH on a later date.