Covid-19: Sabah cautiously welcomes easing of SOPs, urges public to be responsible

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah cautiously welcomes the easing of Covid-19 SOPs and urges the public to place a high level of self responsibility in checking the spread of the infection in the state, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

"We welcome the relaxation of SOPs with big doses of caution and personal responsibility," the state Covid-19 spokesman said.

He said the intention was to enable people to resume daily life as normally as possible, but with it comes responsibility.

"Enthusiasm (over the easing of SOPs) should be tampered with realistic expectations. Complacency (in adherence to SOPs and other health advice) will lead to a new round of infections," he cautioned.

Sabah has done well in managing the pandemic and controlling the transmissions so far, he said.

"But, we should take lessons from what happened in some countries when restrictions were eased.

"The ultimate cost to society and the economy is simply too big for our country to bear if a new wave of massive transmissions strikes again," he said in urging the public to continue practising safe measures in ensuring the infection remains under control.

He said cases happening in China or even Singapore should be a good reminder that the virus is still very much in the community ever ready to strike.

On whether the state was going to adopt the new SOPs that take effect on May 1, Masidi said the state would adopt it.

"Yes we will be following it, subject to adjustments if and when necessary," he explained.

Sabah's Covid-19 cases spiked after the Sept 2020 snap state elections and the number of daily cases fluctuated through highs and lows over the next 18 months, only beginning to ease in the last two months.

Masidi said that the number of daily cases were stabilising with the state recording below hundred cases.

Earlier Wednesday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced the easing of SOPs that included allowing people to enter premises regardless of vaccination status as well making the use of face masks optional in open areas outdoors.