Sabah issues additional advisory on Covid-19

By Olivia Miwil - March 13, 2020 @ 6:44pm

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah state government has taken several additional measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

The state secretary Datuk Safar Untong, in a statement, said any public gathering involving more than 50 people should be avoided or postponed.

“Public Services officers and private sector staff, or any non-governmental organisations with meetings outside of Sabah are advised to use video conferencing or other digital communications channel.

“All civil servants in the state, government-linked companies and the public are reminded to abide by standard operating procedure on preventing the spread of Covid-19 according to the Health Ministry,” he said, adding that people should not travel to countries or other states in Malaysia affected with Covid-19.

He said those who had attended the 'tabligh' gathering at Sri Petaling mosque between Feb 28 and March 1, should contact or go to nearest health clinics for checks.

Safar said that the public should also practice personal hygiene, self quarantine, avoid crowded areas and social distancing of at least 2 metres from others, avoid handshakes and seek treatment at clinic should exhibit symptoms such as coughing, flu and breathing difficulties.

Meanwhile, the KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA) has unanimously decided that the annual Kaamatan Festival celebration will not be held this year due to the infection.

In a statement, its secretary-general Suman Yasambun said it was a tough decision to take as all KDCA members with the respective committees from all districts to Hongkod Koisaan are all geared up to have the much awaited yearly celebrations in May.

“Pesta Kaamatan for Kadazandusun is the time for thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and also the time for a get-together, to feast, to renew communal relationship and gather together to share our traditional food, the 'hinompot, hinava and nonsom bambangan' among others and the traditional rice wine ‘tapai’ drinks.

“Though we are not able to hold the celebration, but through our heart, we wish everyone a very Happy Harvest Festival 2020 and pray that 2021 will enable us to celebrate in full gusto”, he said.