THE conditional movement-control order (CMCO) has been imposed in Bintulu today in the latest effort by the division’s disaster management committee to break the Covid-19 transmission in this district in northern Sarawak. 

With tough new restrictions in inter-district travel showing little result, the divisional disaster committee opted for a tougher circuit breaker.

The district had on April 5 imposed a rule that those who wished to enter Bintulu must show medical proof that they have taken the Covid-19 test and were negative. 

The rule, which ends this Sunday, is expected to be extended for another two weeks.

The spike in cases in the district began on April 9 when cases shot from 70 the day before to 112.

Since then, new cases have been in three digits in four of the last five days with the 130 new cases recorded yesterday, its highest since the pandemic broke out last year.

During the CMCO period, business operating hours in the next 14 days have been shortened from 6am to 8pm. It was 10pm prior to this. 

The only exception made is to pharmacies, which can stay open until 10pm.

There is also a ban in walk-in dine-in at all food and drink outlets - kopitiams, restaurants, bistros and fast food. Only takeaways are permitted. 

With the exception of essential services, there is also a tight rule on travel in and out of the district. 

The committee yesterday also shut down a popular roadside stalls in the MLNG staff camp in Tg Kidurong due to public pressure. 

It came as a video of jam-packed stalls, going viral. 

Public Utilities Minister Dr Stephen Rundi, who oversees the situation in the district, said in a meeting of the Bintulu disaster committee yesterday that the next 14 days is critical for the district. 

He said some drastic measures are needed to stop them from sliding into the same situation that neighbouring Sibu experienced with the deadly Pasai cluster. 

Rundi said as it is, the medical services are already at a “critical stage” with doctors and nurses at its hospital and clinics overworked and the hospital’s intensive care unit short of beds and equipment. 

He also said its quarantine centres are also fast running out of beds.

On top of that, Rundi said some critical government departments and agencies, like the water management board Laku, the Rural Water Supply Department and postal services have been affected as staff had become infected. 

One key recommendation the divisional disaster committee will make to the state committee is for all schools in Bintulu town to be shut down and students continue their classes online. 

Since education matters are under the purview of the federal government, the decision to shut the schools down can only be made by the Education Ministry. – April 14, 2021.