COVID-19: Sarawak gazettes Public Health Ordinance to check possible second wave

The Sarawak government today gazetted the Protection of Public Health Ordinance, which will be in effect from today until June 9, in a bid to further contain the spread of COVID-19, said state Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said after having flattened the curve during the first wave of the pandemic, it is feared that there would be a second wave, especially with the gradual reopening of businesses and the return of Sarawakian students from outside the state.

"As a result, Sarawak needs to introduce a few more measures and if we do not gazette it (the Ordinance), the measures have no legal standing. This action is possible because Sarawak has the local government autonomy, different from the other states as they do not have their own ordinance," he told a media conference here.

Dr Sim said a number of complaints had been received about individuals issued with home quarantine orders and required to wear specialised wrist bands being found leaving their homes.

"Under the Ordinance that has been gazetted today, it is an offence for those given the wrist band to not stay at home," he said.

-- BERNAMA