A member of the public undergoing screening at the drive-thru facility at the state library basement car park.
The long line of vehicles leading to the drive-thru facility.
SIBU: Political secretary to the chief minister Michael Tiang welcomed the move by the health authorities to set up a drive-thru Covid-19 testing facility at the basement car park of the state library at Jalan Tunku Bujang here.
He said the screening process carried out Tuesday at the Sibu Indoor Stadium car park located next to the library had left those who came exposed to the elements, as well as created concerns about the inability to observe physical distancing.
“I’m very happy that the public health authorities responded immediately to these concerns by setting up a drive-thru facility at the state library today (yesterday).
“This is a much better option as those coming for testing can do so from inside their vehicles without having to worry about the weather, and it is also safer for them as well,” he said, adding that the swab test is free and available daily from 9am till 6pm.
On the spike of infections in Sibu, Tiang said it was a wake-up call for folks here not to be complacent regarding the standard operating procedures (SOP).
“For many months, we were safe and stayed green for a long time but somehow people started to put down their guard.
“Fighting Covid-19 is not only the duty of the frontliners; we too have to play our part by wearing masks, observing physical distancing and so forth,” he said.
Folks here were spotted waiting in line inside their vehicles for the drive-thru testing facility to commence operations as early as 8am yesterday.
“I told them that it (opening time) is 2pm but they said they would wait in their vehicles. I reminded them to strictly observe the SOP at all times,” a library staffer told The Borneo Post.
A check at 2pm found a long queue of vehicles along Jalan Teku and Jalan Teng Chin Hua – both leading to the state library and Sibu Indoor Stadium – which resulted in traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang took to Facebook to commend the effort by the divisional health office here in setting up the drive-thru facility to ensure Sibu folk are able to get tested for Covid-19.
However, she suggested that the relevant authorities look into ways to ease the traffic congestion leading to the state library.
“The congestion completely blocked the road and this is a grave concern as the Sungai Merah Fire Station is located at the end of Jalan Tunku Bujang. In the event of an emergency, the firemen may not be able to get out,” she said.