[ad_1]
KUCHING: Zakian Moghni, a Sarawakian working in Melaka, has been caught off guard by Sarawak’s new entry restrictions on travelers from Peninsular Malaysia.
He bought a plane ticket last month to go home for a short vacation next weekend, only to find that Sarawak residents entering from the peninsula must now be quarantined for 14 days.
“My plan was to fly to Kuching on October 9 and return to the mainland on October 12. Before reserving my ticket, I checked with the state disaster management committee about their quarantine requirements.
“At the time there were none, so I bought my ticket. I was hoping to be back next week as I haven’t been back in two years.
“But suddenly this happened and there was an increase in cases, especially in Sabah,” Zakian, 30, said when contacted yesterday.
On Thursday, Senior Deputy Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah announced that non-Sarawak in Sabah and Labuan would be barred from entering Sarawak from October 4 to 18, while Sarawak residents would be allowed to return subject a mandatory entry authorization and quarantine.
He also said that those entering Sarawak from Peninsular Malaysia between October 4-18 must apply for the permit using the Enter Sarawak app and complete the electronic health declaration form.
Those who are not from Sarawak will be quarantined at designated centers for 14 days and will be evaluated on the second and fourth days. Sarawak residents will also be quarantined, but if they test negative on the second day, they will continue the rest of their quarantine at home.
Zakian, a truck driver, said he was not sure if he would exchange his ticket at a later date.
“Even if I can change the ticket, I am concerned that something similar will happen again,” he said.
“As Sarawakians, we have to abide by the government’s decision.
“But I hope the government can resolve the situation soon.”
Journalist Nasa Maria Entaban had to cancel her plan to visit her parents in Kuching.
“It has been nine months since I last met my parents in Sarawak, which was during Christmas.
“I had a plan in March, however, I had to cancel it because the motion control order (MCO) was implemented only a few days before my departure,” he said.
“This time I was supposed to accompany my dad to a medical appointment at the hospital.
“But with the situation and the entry ban, canceling my plan is the right move,” he said.
NASA agreed that the state government’s decision was the right thing to do, as it was the only way to slow the spread of the virus.
Aina Rashidah, a freelancer based in Kuching, also agreed that the state government’s decision was a good decision.
Also, it is not a literal prohibition. You can still enter Sarawak, but you must follow strict state procedure, ”he said.
The 25-year-old also added that as an added precaution, she has reduced exits and if she does, she must wear a mask.
[ad_2]
