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THE Kuching South City Council has issued a mask mandate for food handlers in public markets and hawker centres as Covid-19 infections surge in the area.
Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the directive would be effective immediately.
“All those operating food outlets in public markets and hawker centres and their workers have been instructed to wear face masks when conducting businesses.
“This is for the protection of all, especially the public, and their compliance and cooperation is much appreciated.”
Kuching has two city councils – Kuching South and Kuching North.
Kuching City South is the old part of the city where the main commercial businesses, industrial estates and residential centres are located.
Sarawak General Hospital, located in Kuching South, has seen a sharp rise in Covid-19 admissions, including those in the severe categories 3 to 5.
Kuching South City Council was the first local authority to issue a mask mandate for food operators.
On December 16, Sarawak’s Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Annuar Rapaee called for Covid-19 prevention measures to be imposed again in the state without waiting for a federal directive.
Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said there has been no talk yet of reinstating the Movement Control Order (MCO).
He said he was aware of public concern about the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
“We hope we can make it through this situation without having to repeat restrictions imposed last time, like the MCO,” he said.
He said his ministry has a five-point strategy to deal with the spike, including by encouraging early detection of Covid-19 and its variants. – The Vibes, December 19, 2023.