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KOTA KINABALU: Social gatherings may be the first to go if Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Sabah, warns Datuk Masidi Manjun.
The Minister of Housing and Local Government urged the public to avoid this scenario by being more disciplined in observing standard operating procedures (SOPs), as the virus spreads in the community.
Masidi also urged people to cut back on social gatherings, as nearly 60% of the cases in the state were due to close contact tracing, raising the alarm over community infection.
“Today we no longer have green areas in Sabah; we have red, orange and yellow, and today the red zones increased to 19 districts.
“This is not a good start to 2021, despite seeing a reduction in the numbers before Christmas last year,” he told a virtual press conference on Wednesday (January 6).
He said that the spread of Covid-19, due to a lack of adherence to SOPs during New Year’s celebrations, could only be traced later to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
“I am concerned that the number of cases may increase in the coming days, when symptoms appear in those attending the New Year’s meetings.
“While the need to review existing policies is based on the Covid-19 trend and advice from the Ministry of Health and the National Security Council (NSC), I can tell you that we are looking at all options.
“And if the need arises, just as a precaution, the first thing that I am sure will be reviewed are social activities, because it is one of the sources of community contagion.
“So it’s time to limit any social function,” he said, answering a question about the government’s plan in case the numbers continue to rise.
On the question of whether they will consider temporarily banning flights between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, he said it is always an option to consider if it is in the best interest of Sabaha residents.
Sabah recorded 405 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 38,960, with two deaths recorded, one in each of the Putatan and Kudat districts.
Also reported was a new group called the Kg Pitas group in Tawau, which emerged from workplace assessments in a lumber factory, with 72 cumulative cases.
Meanwhile, answering the question of whether there were other Sabah ministers or cabinet leaders who tested positive for Covid-19 following the recent test by Senior Vice Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan that tested positive, Masidi said so far no there were such cases.
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