Public safety over comfort, students told

By Olivia Miwil - May 19, 2020 @ 1:27pm

KOTA KINABALU: The public should look at the bigger picture to prevent the spread of Covid-19, instead of focusing on discomfort.

Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi was referring to complaints made about the quarantine centres in the state.

"Instead of fretting over personal discomfort (of being at the quarantine centres), students should look at those tasked to prepare their food and keep the quarantine centres clean.

"Everyone is making some form of sacrifices with the hope to contain the spread of the virus," she said, adding those students should play their roles too by being patient when undergoing the two-week isolation at the quarantine centres.

Dr Christina was speaking to reporters after Universiti Malaysia Sabah handed over Covid-19 sampling chamber to the state health department at the Luyang Health Clinic here.

In the last few days, a few students had allegedly posted bad experiences at the quarantine centres.

Dr Christina said although only a few of them had criticised, their posts had triggered biased perceptions about the conditions of these premises.

"These quarantine centres are makeshifts of various facilities. One should not expect the premises to be like hotels.

"On top of addressing these complaints, the authorities have to conduct investigations and carry out analysis, among others."

The mandatory quarantine order at gazetted facilities takes effect following 10 imported cases including two students, who were allowed home quarantine, were tested positive for Covid-19.

Majority of those home-quarantined students were also found flouting the order, including students tested positive for the virus.

Due to insufficient space at quarantine centres, the state government had to postpone flights for 6,796 students from other states from May 18.