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MIRI – It is still too risky to organise any Chinese New Year (CNY) event that can attract crowds, as Covid-19 variants continue to pose major threats to the people, said Progressive Democratic Party president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
The risk of being infected by the Delta and Omicron variants is still high in Sarawak, and it is not wise to hold any public CNY activities yet.
Adding to the danger is the rise of new variants, including the “Flurona” and “Delmicron”.
Tiong, who is Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman, took to social media today to warn against organising CNY gatherings after discovering plans by numerous organisations to stage such events in the coming weeks ahead of the festivities.
“I have learnt that there are numerous Chinese organisations and societies that have started organising and holding CNY activities that can attract crowds.
“I urge them to reconsider and stop their plans,” he said. “If they are already in the midst of planning such activities, please postpone them immediately.”
If the venues of these activities have already been confirmed with the dates and timing, and they cannot be cancelled, I appeal for tightening of SOPs at all levels.
“We are dealing with Omicron and Delta in Sarawak, as well as Flurona and Delmicron that are lurking, so it is still not safe yet,” he said.
Tiong said he is worried that complacency has already seeped into the mindset of the people to the extent they take the Covid-19 situation for granted.
“In Bintulu, there are indications that cases of infections are going up again,” he said.
“We must still be on guard, or else we will again experience another surge in infection cases very soon.
Tiong warned the relevant enforcement agencies not to be lax with monitoring and enforcing SOPs against Covid-19.
Though Sarawak is already in Phase 4 of the Covid-19 national recovery phase, the required SOPs must still remain firmly in place, he added. – The Vibes, January 8, 2021
