Covid-19: Compounds to come from Monday (Jan 18) in Sibu, say cops

SIBU: Compounds will only be issued to those who do not comply with movement control order standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the Sibu division from Monday (Jan 18).

The Sibu division, which includes the Sibu, Selangau and Kanowit districts, has been put under a two-week MCO from Jan 16 to 29 following an alarming spike in Covid-19 cases from the Pasai Cluster.

Sibu Crime Prevention and Community Policing chief, Deputy Supt Ariffin Bahar said the authorities were only issuing warnings to those who violate the SOPs on the first two days of the MCO.

"We will start issuing compounds tomorrow (Monday). We are only giving warnings now. We did this because we want the people to fully understand the need to comply with the SOPs," he said.

He explained that the police can issue compounds of RM1,000 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.

DSP Ariffin was speaking to the media while inspecting the Jalan Pahlawan Bus Terminal on Sunday (Jan 17).

The inspection involved 15 policemen from the Crime Prevention and Community Policing and Traffic departments as well as another three officers from the Road Transport Department.

DSP Ariffin explained that they inspected the terminal to ensure that bus companies adhered to the SOPs, which include having operating permits as required under the MCO and physical distancing where only 50% of the seats can be occupied.

"If there are 50 seats in a bus, then only 25 seats are allowed to be used. This is for physical distancing," he said.

The inspection was also to ensure that passengers had valid travel permits approved by the police.

"We are stationing a team of three to four policemen and JPJ personnel here to conduct daily checks," he said.