Sarawak loosens MCO, allows 2 people in a vehicle


Desmond Davidson

Douglas Uggah Embas says he hopes people won't abuse the relaxed rules. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, April 18, 2020.

AFTER a week without any Covid-19 deaths and only six new positive cases reported today – the lowest in the week – Sarawak has loosened some restrictions under the movement control order (MCO).

The state Disaster Management Committee said it would allow two people to travel in a car or on a motorcycle in the state’s rural areas.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah, who chairs the committee, said it is rice harvest season in the state, and allowing only one person in a car  was impractical as harvesting was done by more than one person.

In Sarawak, rice farms are usually small family farms and harvesting is all done by hand.

Uggah however, said he hoped the relaxation in movement will not be abused.

The majority of the state’s rural areas are in the so-called green zone, where there are no infections.

The committee also allowed the customer service centres of telecommunications companies like Celcom, Digi, Maxis, U Mobile and their authorised dealers to restart operation.

Uggah said telecommunication service has now been classified as an essential service.

However, only centres at premises agreed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), are allowed to reopen.

They are however, only allowed to reopen on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10am to 4pm, with a maximum of three employees.

They are also to observe all health protocols to stop possible transmission, limiting the number of customers to a minimum and practising social distancing. – April 18, 2020. 


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Comments


  • Good, but dont loose guard on surveillance.

    Posted 6 years ago by Thomas Samuel · Reply

  • Smart ass always wanted to show they are better

    Posted 6 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Good on you Sarawak. Commonsense will tell you that having 2 max in a vehicle is going to help families in their daily outing for marketing or buying back food. After all, there are already many checks in place at the outlets like temperature check, social distancing, sanitizing of hands, use of face mask etc...

    Posted 6 years ago by Super Duper · Reply