Kundasang quiet despite leeway for the fully vaccinated

 By Olivia Miwil - August 10, 2021 @ 2:50pm

Despite relaxation for fully vaccinated people to travel across district, tourist destination here is still quite with fewer people. - NSTP/Olivia Miwil

RANAU: The "little New Zealand" of Sabah lived up to its namesake by remaining serene and quiet, despite today being the first day of leeways given to those who have received full dosage of the Covid-19 vaccine including crossing district line for tour activities.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had during the weekend announced easing of several socio-economic aspects for the fully vaccinated people at states under Phase 2 and above of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

Muhyiddin also said the Covid-19 digital vaccination certification would be used to verify a person's immunisation status to the authorities.

However, a local homestay operator Kohadie Koch Watiman said there were not much tourists coming to Kundasang town as of noon.

"It is quiet. I did not see any tourists moving around or taking pictures.

"But, there are local tourists staying at the lodging facility here for official and business purposes, which is in line with the standard operating procedures (SOP) during the Movement Control Order," said Kohadie who is also the Kampungstay and Homestay Association Malaysia deputy president.

At press time, Sabah has yet to issue its specific standard operating procedures (SOP) for fully vaccinated people in the state.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the state authority had yet to finalise on the guidelines pertaining to tourism.

It is also learnt that Sabah Parks has yet to open its parks including the Mount Kinabalu to visitors.

Meanwhile, a father of two from Penampang, who is fully vaccinated and wants to be known as Richard, said, he would put on hold of his family vacation to Kundasang for now.

"Although the government has given several leeways for fully vaccinated adults, I still think it is dangerous to go around.

"It is worrying especially with the Delta variant which may endanger our children who are not eligible for vaccines.

"Give it some time for the cases in the state to go down before going out to places where there are large crowds," he said.

Yesterday, all districts in Sabah are categorised as red zones with 1,247 cases and 11 fatalities.