SIBU: With the Covid-19 situation here showing no signs of abating, the Sibu Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has decided to tighten the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
SDMC decided to take drastic action, as there are still a lot of people moving around town despite being under the movement control order until Jan 29.
Speaking at a press conference Monday (Jan 25), SDMC chairman Charles Siaw said companies categorised under essential services are now required to apply for police permits for work-related travel during the MCO period.
The current practice for employers to issue letters to their employees to go to work will be discontinued effective Wednesday (Jan 27).
Under this stricter enforcement, the management of essential services are only allowed to operate at 30% capacity during the MCO period.
"We are doing this because we want to bring down the number of people on the road by 50%," Siaw said.
Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, who was also present, explained the mechanism for applying for the permits.
"Companies under essential services need to list down their employees who will be working and need the permit. This permit will allow them to travel from their homes to their workplaces, and is applicable in the Sibu Division only," he said.
The Sibu Division covers the Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau districts.
ACP Stanley added that the permit can be applied for at any police station in the division.
"The documents required for the permit application include the company's trade licence, name of the worker and their MyKad.
"They are also required to state down their operating hours," he added.
Applications for the permit start Monday (Jan 25) and applications would be approved in a day's time, he said.
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