SARAWAK has reversed its five-day old decision to quarantine anyone entering the state over a two-week period starting from Saturday.

The policy, to curb the renewed spread of the Covid-19 in three districts in the southern part of the state.

Instead, these domestic arrivals will only be tagged with tracker wristbands and allowed to go home or to their planned destination.

However, they are required to report to the nearest public health facility for screening on the second day after their arrival.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah, who announced the policy reversal today, said people travelling to the interior, where there are no appropriate medical facilities, will have to be quarantined at their destination.

On July 27, Uggah, who chairs the State Disaster Management Committee, said anyone arriving in the state would have be quarantined immediately and remain so until they tested negative for Covid-19.

Sarawakians would not have to pay for the quarantine and test, with the state government picking up the tab.

Uggah also said the police could not arrest anyone still out in public places after 10pm in red and yellow zone districts: Kuching, Samarahan and Serian.

However, Uggah said police could act where people flout the moment control order such as mass gatherings in public places.

Sarawak has cut back the operating hours of businesses in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian to 10pm.

An exception has been made to petrol stations and factories, which can operate round the clock.

Uggah said the 10pm restriction was due to failure of some outlets – including restaurants and supermarkets – to comply with health protocols like social distancing. – July 30, 2020.