KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has decided to allow cinemas in the state to resume operations on Saturday (Sept 18).
State Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said it was in line with the approval given by the federal government to allow such premises to operate at 50 per cent capacity since Sept 9.
"Cinemas in the state are allowed to operate provided that all employees and movie-goers must have been fully vaccinated, and with a capacity of 50 per cent of the hall," he said in a statement.
Today, Sabah recorded 1,982 new Covid-19 cases, including 1,044 backlogged cases.
Masidi said close contact screening contributed more than half of the total number with 1,101 cases or 55.5 per cent, followed by symptomatic screening at 701 cases or 35.4 per cent; and nine cases from existing clusters.
A total of 171 cases were obtained from other screenings.
Masidi noted that the percentage of cases through symptomatic screening in Kota Kinabalu is worrying.
"Kota Kinabalu recorded 493 cases and almost 48 per cent of the number are sporadic, which were found from symptomatic screenings.
"The number is a signal and reminder to the public to adhere to all standard operating procedures (SOP) seriously because the risk of infection is extremely high when we are in public," he said.
Sabah also registered 47 fatalities – eight in Tawau, seven in Sandakan, six in Tuaran, five each in Lahad Datu and Kota Kinabalu, four in Penampang, three in Keningau, two each in Kudat and Beaufort, and one each in Putatan, Kalabakan, Pitas, Papar and Semporna.
"The number of deaths does not necessarily occur within the 24 hours. Some deaths cases take time to verify and were reported later than the actual date," said Masidi.
As of yesterday, Sabah's full vaccination rate among the adult population was at 54.6 per cent.