Hajiji Noor: No additional Covid-19 SOP for arrivals from China

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (fourth left) with Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shi-Fang (third left) greeting Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin (fifth left) upon his arrival at the Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Consul General on Wednesday (Jan 11) night.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is not planning to impose additional Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for arrivals from China into Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He reiterated that the only requirements for the travellers were to produce a negative PCR test for the virus, as well as be vaccinated as per their own country’s requirement.

"With China’s border officially opened three days ago on Jan 8, we look forward to welcoming Chinese visitors to our shores once again," he said.

Hajiji stated this during the Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shi-Fang here on Wednesday night (Jan 11).

He added that Sabah was looking forward to more investments from the Republic as economic and trade cooperation between both parties continue to progress.

"China has been our good neighbour.

"During the difficult times and at the height of the pandemic, the Chinese government through the China Consulate here has extended various assistance to Sabah especially medical assistance and we are grateful.

"The rapport and good relations between our two countries have been, and will always, be good.

"Sabah and China have mutually benefited from each other and we have successfully harnessed benefits from the cooperation and exchanges in various fields," he elaborated.

On another note commenting on the upcoming Lunar New Year festivity, Hajiji said it was not only celebrated among the Chinese community but also among the diverse races and cultures of the people in Sabah and across Malaysia.

"We celebrate the festival in unison. People of all ethnic groups join in the celebrations, reflecting our multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural unity in diversity.

"In the Chinese zodiac, this year is the Year of the Rabbit.

"The rabbit is associated with peace, prosperity and longevity and also signifies a year of hope which is very apt indeed as we move out of the challenging past two years of the pandemic.

"I have stressed in my New Year 2023 message that much has still to be done and we shall look forward to focusing on economic recovery and progressing our development roadmap – the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) halatuju," he added.