More freedom to travel within Sabah

By Olivia Miwil - May 6, 2020 @ 5:18pm

Sabah will remain vigilant until the end of Phase 4 of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on May 12 despite the police relaxing regulations for travel. – NSTP/File pic

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will remain vigilant until the end of Phase 4 of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on May 12 despite the police relaxing regulations for travel.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said this today in response to notices and WhatsApp messages that police have lifted travel ban between districts and allowed four people in a vehicle.

"It is up to the police to allow inter-district travelling. Although there are no longer red zones in the state, I would like to ask for tighter surveillance especially at areas once classified as red zones.

"Our stance was as announced yesterday, that the state will still implement restrictions until May 12," he said at a press conference at Sabah Administrative Centre here.

Sabah was among several states that have yet to implement the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to reopen some economic sectors on May 4.

Mohd Shafie said the state needed more time to prepare before re-opening the economic sectors in terms of guidelines, as well as logistics, especially air transportation.

According to the message on new regulations on travelling, the public could move freely without restrictions.

However, unless it was for work purposes, those travelling across state would require permission.

Up to four people were also allowed in a private vehicle provided all of them live in the same house.

"As for public transport, it can only accommodate half of its capacity." the statement said.