A 'maybe Merry Christmas' on the cards as Sabah cautiously reopens borders

 By Olivia Miwil - December 4, 2020 @ 9:47pm

Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the state’s tourism sector isn’t the only reason why the state is reopening its borders.- NSTP/KHAIRULL AZRY BIDIN.

KOTA KINABALU: It may be a Merry Christmas after all for Sabahans in the Peninsular and Sarawak who had been denied the opportunity to return to their loved ones back home.

The Sabah government announced that from tomorrow, travelers from other states would be allowed to enter Sabah.

However, this would depend on the results of their Covid-19 tests, taken within three days of departure. They would have to test negative not show any symptoms in order to enter Sabah.

Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the state's tourism sector isn't the only reason why the state is reopening its borders.

"We understand that there are family members from the Peninsular who have been unable to meet due to the standard operating procedures in place.

"It's time to let them reunite. Christians will celebrate Christmas on Dec 25, as such, we are helping them return home," he said at a virtual press conference today.

Masidi, who is also the state Local Government and Housing Minister, said the state government is not anticipating a flood of people returning to Sabah, adding that precautions would still be taken.

To a question on whether inter-district travel would be allowed in Sabah, Masidi replied that more information would be made available in the press conference by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob tomorrow.

Masidi added that the state government has also agreed to allow restaurants to operate until midnight starting tomorrow. Libraries, he said, would resume operations in stages while museums and galleries can reopen on Dec 15.