Sarawak Shouldn’t Have Double Standards On Quarantine — Medical Officer

Why is the cost for quarantine and swab not covered for essential service providers, no matter where they are from?

In reference to Kenyataan Media Covid-19 (08.10.2020) (BIL 245) by Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri Sarawak page 9 which stated:

Semua warganegara Malaysia yang ingin masuk ke Sarawak dari Semenanjung Malaysia akan dikuarantin wajib 14 hari di pusat kuarantin dan ujian Covid-19 akan diambil pada hari ke-2 dan ke-10. Kos kuarantin dan ujian Covid-19 akan ditanggung oleh diri sendiri. Hanya rakyat Sarawak sahaja akan ditanggung oleh Kerajaan Sarawak. Arahan ini berkuatkuasa mulai 10 Oktober 2020.

I also read:

As for non-Sarawakians working in essential services who travel from the peninsula to perform official duties in Sarawak, they must apply for approval through the EnterSarawak app and fill in an e-Health Declaration Form. They are also required to take an RT-PCR test three days before departure.

I refer to these news reports — Minister Adham Entered Sarawak On Three-Day Pass Exempting Quarantine: SDMC (dated October 28, 2020) and Sarawak Enforces 14-Day Quarantine For Peninsula Travellers, Bars Non-Sarawakians From Sabah, Labuan (dated October 1, 2020).

My opinion to Sarawak SDMC through CodeBlue:

As a medical officer, do I need to quarantine when I return from peninsula to perform official duties in Sarawak?

If yes, why was there an exemption for the MOH delegation allowed by the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee for the Miri Hospital groundbreaking?

Why is the cost for quarantine and swab not covered for essential service providers, no matter where they are from?

I have served Sarawakians during the Covid pandemic period, and I should be given the privilege to visit and be with my family during the festive season.

I shouldn’t be burdened with all the extra cost, and I hope there shouldn’t be double standards for MOH delegates and MOH staff/ essential service providers.

CodeBlue is publishing this letter by a medical officer anonymously because civil servants are not allowed to speak publicly without approval from their higher-ups.

  • This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.

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