TATAU: The district disaster management committee here has called upon all local residents to enhance their compliance with the existing standard operating procedure (SOP), following the detection of a positive Covid-19 case.
Tatau had maintained its Green Zone status since the virus was first detected in the country on Jan 25 last year, but last Sunday, Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) confirmed that the district had recorded its first positive case.
Following this, the district disaster management committee called a special meeting on Sunday to discuss the current situation and the precautionary measures to be taken by all parties.
This signboard, signed by one ‘Kembuan Thomas’ and written mostly in Iban, roughly conveys as the residents not accepting any visitor during this time.
Chaired by Tatau District officer Barayan Lenya, the meeting also involved Deputy Bintulu
Resident Hussaini Hakim, Bintulu Health officer Dr Melvin Chung, as well as representatives of relevant agencies and local communities.
The meeting also talked about police reinforcing the roadblock near Rumah Peter Bansa at Sungai Annau here, and disinfection works being carried out by firefighters from the Tatau station on a local supermarket.
It is made known that many longhouses and villages in this district have initiated their own SOP in addition to the directives set by the health authorities, such as banning outsiders from entering their areas.
“Some of the villagers even decline visitation from relatives and friends in protecting their own families from the risk of Covid-19 infections,” said Pemanca Gerosen Jubin, who also attended the special meeting.
He said the people at the longhouses or villages had prohibited the hosting of any social event or gathering.
“It appears that every longhouse now has a signboard, reminding outsiders against entering the area,” he added.
A policeman checks a vehicle passing a roadlock in Tatau.
Moreover, Gerosen called upon those working in Covid-19 high-risk areas to refrain from returning to their longhouses or villages here, at least for the time being.
“If you don’t have anything important, please stay where you are – do not come back,” he appealed.
Gerosen also called upon all local grassroots leaders to monitor and protect their respective communities.
“Report to the Ministry of Health if any of your people shows symptoms of infection, so that early prevention measures could be taken,” he added.