MIRI: The average traffic volume in Miri has reduced by half as of June 4 following the implementation of movement control order (MCO) on May 29.
Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, in a statement today (June 5) noted that the average traffic volume of 40,000 vehicles per day recorded in May has dropped to about 18,800 per day as of June 4.
He said traffic volume during Gawai holidays recorded a significant drop of up to 70 percent.
However, as the Gawai holidays end, there was a slight increase in traffic by 24 percent on June 4.
“The current figure remains a healthy trend compared to the traffic situation before MCO was imposed.
“This could be the result of roadblocks and surprise inspections by the police with other enforcement agencies to regulate and control the movement between divisions during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Lee said.
He noted that the highest average daily traffic volume by intersection was recorded and observed at Pujut 7, followed by Parkson, Bulan Sabit, Permaisuri, Piasau and Hilltop.
Lee also stated the trend of the traffic volume at all the junctions showed similar trend from January until June 4.
He said the average daily traffic volume could correlate to the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the state from January to June 4.
“The fact that traffic was increasing indicates greater contact between people, which increases the risk of further infection.
“Hence the government imposition of stricter standard operating procedure (SOP) to stop the movement of people through roadblocks to prevent the spread of the virus,” he asserted.
Lee said his ministry would cooperate with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to accelerate the administration of swab tests and Covid-19 vaccines for frontline workers and the public by providing transport and logistic support.
“This includes making sure that contracted transport companies like Sg Merah Bus Company can carry swab test samples without hindrance from Sibu, Bintulu and Limbang respectively to the test centre a Borneo Medical Centre in Kuching,” said Lee.
The Transposrt Minister urged all parties and the public to comply with the SOP and reduce movement unless there were important and unavoidable matters to attend to.
“Wear a mask, sanitise and get vaccinated. Let us together curb the spread of Covid-19 and make Sarawak a safe place for all,” he added.
