Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is not ready to re-open borders for tourism purposes from abroad as yet.
Sabah Covid’s official spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the Government needs to carefully look into various aspects before allowing it. He is fully aware of calls to allow the entry of foreign tourists into Sabah, especially from China.
“I know the eagerness of some … because they (tourism players) are facing a drought of tourists especially from China.
“But even in China itself they practice a stricter approach than other countries.
“Even their own people (in China) are not allowed to leave and are locked up in certain provinces. So if we open our borders, is there a guarantee that their people (from China) will come to our country. This is what we need to consider carefully,” he said.
So, if the government open its borders, is there a guarantee that the Chinese tourists would come to Sabah.
“There is need to weigh this properly and not let anxiousness to get tourists from certain countries open a higher risk of (Covid-19) infection in Sabah.
“We should look at (Covid-19) developments in other countries wisely, not just at tourism issues but on global health issues.
“Many countries have not opened their borders anyway. If we open just because some people want it, we will look awkward and will be perceived as acting smart,” he said.
Hence, Masidi who is also Local Government and Housing Minister, urged them to be patient even though this may worsen the State’s tourism sector. When other countries re-open, he is optimistic that the State government would follow suit.
Masidi suggested that industry players focus on local tourism where according to the latest tourist arrival statistics in Sabah, a total of 2.7 million tourists are from within.
“Imagine with only 30 per cent of the 2.7 million tourists coming to Sabah, with the current situation we will be talking about 881,000 people and that’s enough.
“According to the calculations, we will generate RM2 billion in revenue for the tourism sector within a year. So while waiting for the paddy to ripen, we will have corn first,” he said.
On whether Sabah would provide special quarantine centres for tourists when its borders reopen, Masidi said it would involve international protocol which is one-way rule but involves agreement on joint and procedures with other countries.
He said he did suggest for Asean countries to focus on determining protocols among them whereby a protocol that works together and facilitates travel within the region while emphasising health safety like what Malaysia and Singapore is doing.
“We will try to be creative as possible but at the same time the pandemic looks very unpredictable as it is and then we should be ready for this unpredictability and to respond accordingly.
“There must not only be one option but there should be other options A, B and C which one of these options can be used when the situation determines,” he said.
Besides, if Sabah borders reopen, there are certain restrictions where those who come to Sabah must comply with requirements that they must be healthy and fully vaccinated.
If from outside the country, they may have to be quarantined in Kuala Lumpur before entering Sabah, among others.
On whether previous two schools in Tambunan (Jan 16) and Ranau (Jan 18), identified as clusters should be closed, Masidi said the government is trying to avoid such closing unless the Covid-19 virus infection resulted in a large number of students.
But looking at Ranau, he said except if there is new data, the data showed that the number of infected students is not too many as it is limited to one dormitory room.
“So, as much as possible we would like to avoid closing. The lesson we learn from this pandemic is that the way we manage it is different from before and now.
“In the past, we did not have the vaccines and the way to reduce or contain the infection from spreading further was through implementing Movement Control Order (MCO) or total lockdown.
“But now that we have the vaccine and as I have explained recently that the Covid-19 vaccine is able to reduce the symptoms of those infected by the virus,” he said.
Therefore, Masidi said the Sabah’s approach is to make sure all people get vaccinated and ensuring they continue to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“So the vaccine is not something that makes you immune from the Covid-19 infection as it is simply reduces the symptoms or effects after being infected,” he said.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
