Campaigning in red zones continue with tweaks in SOP

KOTA KINABALU: Election campaigning in Covid-19 red zones in Sabah can still continue but with some changes to the standard operating procedure (SOP).

According to the Election Commission, only one or two people are allowed into voters’ homes during house-to-house campaigning while for talks, only 30 people are allowed to gather in one location for each event.

Everyone in the crowd is required to adhere strictly to the SOP including maintaining physical distancing, putting on face masks and applying hand sanitisers.

Campaigning and related programmes in other non-red zone areas are allowed to proceed with the existing SOP in place.

All candidates are, however, encouraged to maximise their use of social media platforms for their campaigning work.

As per the Health Department website, there are six Covid-19 red zones in Sabah – Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, Sandakan and Kunak.

Sabah recorded 1,189 Covid-19 cases as of Sept 22.