KOTA KINABALU: Sabah welcomes tourists from China to the state, but they have to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) amidst fear of spike in Covid-19 cases.
Based on the cabinet meeting yesterday, State Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said those visitors have to ensure that they are fully vaccinated and abide by the SOP before departing from their country of origin.
"Forty-eight hours before (they arrive), they should be tested negative for Covid-19. All tourists and foreigners will have their temperature checked and isolated (if they show symptoms)," he said when met after the presentation ceremony of lion heads to various associations and temples in the state in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
Earlier, Dr Joachim represented and read Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's speech at the event.
In Hajiji's speech, he said the state government has allocated grants totalling RM54.05 million to schools and non-Muslim religious bodies in this year's Budget that marked an increase of RM7.05 million compared to last year.
This year, it was giving out lion heads worth RM1.5 million that will be distributed through the respective state and parliamentary constituencies, he said.
"This shows that the state government is very sensitive to the needs of the people and serious in assisting them irrespective of race and religion.
"The presentation of the lion heads to the Sabah Chinese community in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration shows the commitment of the state government to continue supporting and assisting the multi-racial community," Hajiji said.