KUCHING: The Public Service Department's decision to make it mandatory for all federal civil servants to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can provide confidence and assurance to the public as well as ensure the smooth delivery of services.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Tupong assemblyman Fazzuddin Abdul Rahman said this was in tandem with the federal government's target to lift the restriction on interstate travel in three weeks, when the country's vaccination rate hits 90 per cent.
He said although Covid-19 vaccination is not compulsory for Sarawak's state civil servants, it is prudent that all Sarawakians get protected by obtaining the Covid-19 vaccine jab.
"It (vaccination) has proven to be instrumental in reducing the severity of the Covid-19 cases in the state, where 99 per cent of the daily Covid-19 cases are in Category 1 and Category 2," he said in a statement today.
He said although there was no mandate to get everyone vaccinated, the public has to play a role in protecting themselves, their family and the community through vaccination.
Fazzuddin said the onus will be on the community, including the civil servants, to know what is good for them.
"As we enter the endemic phase, much of the decisions with regard to the health of the individuals will depend on themselves.
"As far as the state government is concerned, we will continue to educate the people on the importance of the Covid-19 vaccination," he added.
Yesterday, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government will not make it compulsory for its civil servants to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite it being made mandatory for their federal counterparts.
He said the state will leave it to the civil servants themselves to decide if they want to be vaccinated but the government will continue to provide the vaccine to all Sarawakians to protect them from the Covid-19 virus.