SARAWAK is taking the Covid-19 restriction on movements a step further by shutting down most of its border posts with neighbours Brunei, Kalimantan and Sabah today.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said only the customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) posts between Sarawak and Brunei at Sg Tujuh, Tedungan, Pandaruan and Mengkalap will remain open but only for 14 hours from 6am to 8pm.

Earlier this week, deputy transport minister Hasbi Habibolah gave an assurance that the land route from Miri to Limbang and Lawas, key to food and fuel supplies to the two northern districts, will not be shut down.

Supply lorries have to pass through Brunei to get to Limbang and the Brunei district of Temburong to Lawas.

The border posts are also crucial to cater for medical emergencies.

Also exempted are all CIQs between Sarawak and Kalimantan – Tebedu, Biawak and Lubok Antu.

Their opening hours are, however, between 9am and 3 pm.

The chief minister did not say it but the CIQ at Sindumin on the Sabah-Sarawak border in Lawas will be shut as well.

Sabah has barred all non-Sabahans, including Malaysians who are non-residents of Sabah, from entering the state.

Abang Johari said keeping the CIQs open is in line with the opening hours as agreed by Brunei and Indonesia.

Malaysia yesterday recorded 130 new cases, bringing the total number of cases of 1,030, with three fatalities.

Most of the positive cases have come from a tabligh gathering which took place in a mosque in Kuala Lumpur at the end of last month.

Abang Johari said the state government is now discussing with private hospitals to provide more screening and testing facilities for Covid-19.

Discussions are being held with the Borneo Medical Centre (BMC), Timberland Medical Centre, KPJ and Normah Medical Specialist Centre.

“This is to enhance our capacity to deal with the situation.”

Among the matters discussed are screening rates and rebate from the state government, he added.

Seven centres in the state have now been declared Covid-19 hot spots – Kuching; the market town of Serian, some 63km from Kuching; the rural towns of Betong and Sarikei; the oil and gas towns of Bintulu and Miri; and Limbang.

On Monday, Abang Johari will announce an economic aid package to help stimulate the state economy battered by the contagion. – March 21, 2020.