KUCHING: Effective today, all visitors entering Sarawak are required to declare the status of their health as part of efforts to contain the new novel coronavirus infection in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said they were required to fill in the health declaration form provided at all entry points in the state, including border checkpoints and onboard aircraft.
“The completed form needs to be submitted to the Immigration officers and will also be examined out by medical officers at the counters,” he told a news conference here after chairing a meeting on the efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus infection.
The regulation also applies to visitors driving vehicles who arrive via ferry from Labuan and flight passengers from Mulu National Park as there are direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to the location.
Uggah who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman said the state government would obtain blood rapid test kits next week as part of the measures to address the coronavirus infection.
The use of the kits is to expedite blood sampling process before the sample is sent to Kuala Lumpur for analysis, he said, adding that the Sarawak government will also buy two more thermal scanners to be placed at Sibu and Bintulu airports, respectively.
“Only these two airports in the state which are not yet equipped with the thermal scanner,” said Uggah.
Uggah also called on those who had returned from China in the last 14 days to impose self-quarantine at their respective homes.
He said the committee would inform their respective employers to allow them to go on leave during the quarantine period.
Members of the public are also advised to obtain information relating to the coronavirus infection from the committee and the Ministry of Health, as well as not to spread unverified information on the matter. - Bernama
