SARAWAK students who were placed under quarantine before their return from the peninsula can go straight back home, but will have their movements monitored electronically.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said although they are considered “safe” to return to their respective homes, they must wear electronic tags so that the authorities know their whereabouts.

They also have to undergo 14 days of home quarantine, he told 287 students who returned to the state this afternoon.

The return of students from campuses nationwide began this week. They had been stuck on campus since March 18, when the movement-control order took effect.

Of the 287 who landed at Kuching International Airport today, 26 who were not quarantined while in the peninsula were sent to a hotel, where they will stay in isolation before they are allowed to go home.

The other students took buses to their homes in the state capital, Serian and Samarahan.

All will be tested for Covid-19 in a week’s time. A positive result guarantees admission to Sarawak General Hospital.

Uggah, who chairs the state Disaster Management Committee, said the Sarawak Multimedia Authority has developed an electronic tracker to be worn on the wrist.

“Please stay at home,” he told the students.

“It is for the good of your own family and community.”

He said there have been cases of virus-positive returnees to Sarawak infecting their families and neighbours.

He mentioned the case of a man in the rural town of Debak who tested positive only upon the third screening.

“The first two tests came back negative. He was sent home (from hospital) and he moved around.

“Two days later, he underwent a third test, which came back positive.”

As a result, said Uggah, the state Health Department had to trace about 15 close contacts and quarantine them.

To date, 29 of Sarawak’s 40 districts are Covid-19 green zones, meaning they are free of infections. – May 1, 2020.