Sabah Health Department advises to postpone trips back home

By Olivia Miwil - May 15, 2020 @ 9:55am

The Sabah health department (JKNS) has advised those planning to return home to postpone their trips, said its director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi. - NSTP/ courtesy of JKNS

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah health department (JKNS) has advised those planning to return home to postpone their trips, said its director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.

"However, if it is unavoidable, they are reminded to keep social distancing, wear face masks all the time, maintain hand hygiene and practice proper cough etiquette.

"They have to be screened for symptoms and body temperature taken upon arrival at the points of entry in the state," she said in a statement.

Starting May 13, JKNS had changed the standard operating procedures which require all incoming passengers including students to undergo quarantine for 14 days at the gazetted centres instead of their own home.

The changes were made following 10 imported cases which include those found flouting home quarantine orders. Three students from a local university also tested positive for Covid-19.

As of yesterday, Sabah maintained cumulative cases of 330 with 33 still receiving treatment.

Dr Christina added that the Penampang district health office was working with related agencies to ensure students that arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here are managed well.

All sample-taking procedures and the evaluation of appropriate quarantine centres to be used are conducted at the Penampang police station.