KUCHING:- Gifted Children Association of Sarawak (Perais) yesterday called on the federal government to either tighten the movement control order (CMO) like in phase one or enforce a total lockdown of 14 days to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the association’s secretary-general Annuar Putit, the flexibility provided by the federal government such as the opening of many grocery stores, hardware stores and wet will open these premises to the public, thus inviting big crowds.
“The more worrying thing is that parents bring their kids for shopping as if nothing happens.
“Things are a bit different from phase one when strict controls were enforced and only major supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics, bank and hospitals were open at that time,” he said.
To further accelerate the containment of the Covid-19 outbreak, Annuar recommended a total lockdown of 14 days.
He said during the lockdown period, the federal government should assist the state governments, state and federal agencies as well as enforcement agencies to provide food assistance from house to house for the community.
Annuar said the latest announcement that Sarawak would follow the federal government’s directive to allow four people from the same home and family in one vehicle was also worrying.
He said this would encourage many to go out of their way and cause Covid-19 to spread.
“We must win against this Covid-19 but the flexibility given will lead to the high risk of more people being infected by the virus,” he added.
Annuar pointed out the spread of the outbreak was high if the people did not comply with the standard operation procedures (SOPs) issued by the Ministry of Health.
