KOTA KINABALU: The move to only allow fully-vaccinated people in premises like supermarkets and eateries is to serve as reminder on the importance of vaccination.
Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said with the state continuing to record a high number of Covid-19 cases, it was necessary to take any appropriate action to reduce the spread, especially through vaccination.
"Enforcement of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) for eateries (dine-ins) and supermarkets at an early stage is more in the form of education and reminders, not to impose penalties.
"We hope everyone involved in this sector will complete their vaccination within a month. Enforcement of SOP compliance will be fully implemented thereafter.
"It is advisable that those who have not been vaccinated immediately get the vaccine at the nearest vaccination centres.
"For employees of supermarkets, eateries, and hotels around Kota Kinabalu, they can come to the SICC vaccination centre to be inoculated," he said in a statement.
Yesterday, the Sabah government had issued an updated SOP for various activities allowed in Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). This includes the operation of eateries and supermarkets.
The SOP among others stipulates that only customers and employees who had been fully vaccinated and have low-risk Covid-19 status on their MySejahtera application are allowed to enter the premises.
Masidi said the move to enforce the new SOP in eateries and supermarkets was aimed at creating a healthy environment and safe retail space.
"This will provide health benefits and assurance not only to employees but also customers. This measure will reduce the risk of Covid-19 virus transmission while in eateries and supermarkets," he said.
Today, Sabah recorded 1,654 new Covid-19 cases with 15 fatalities – in Kota Kinabalu (six), Tawau (three), Sandakan (three) and one each in Beaufort, Papar and Keningau.
Close contacts contributed 956 cases (57.8 per cent) while 528 cases (31.9 per cent) were detected from symptomatic screenings.
"The current trend is showing a significant increase in symptomatic categories in some districts, a sign that the transmission of the Covid-19 virus is becoming more widespread among the community.
"In Kota Kinabalu, almost 37 per cent of the total new cases today are from the symptomatic category, Tawau 43 per cent, Tuaran 41.6 per cent, Penampang 29 per cent and Sandakan 41 per cent," said Masidi.
He added that patients in Category 2 (mild symptoms) are currently increasing, with 995 individuals (60.2 per cent), and 306 (18.5 per cent) individuals in Category 1 (asymptomatic).
Eight patients were in Category 3, four in Category 4 and three in Category 5, he said.
On the vaccination status, 19.6 per cent of the population in Sabah were fully vaccinated and 43.9 per cent had received a single dose.
"As informed, the Sabah Health Department has been working hard to improve the ability to give injections every day.
"Yesterday the Sabah health authorities managed to inoculate 54,091 doses to the people of Sabah, approaching its maximum capacity target of 59,000 doses per day."