However, the reopening of Pangkor Island requires the approval of the National Security Council as the area has failed to meet its goal of fully vaccinated adults of at least 8,026 people out of a total population of 11,500.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for fully vaccinated individuals in Sabah this week will be enforced on September 21, 2021 (Tuesday) instead of September 15 (Wednesday), Minister of Local Government and Housing Masidi Manjun has said. This affects movement restrictions for employees and customers in retail and sales as well as in restaurants and supermarkets, as they have to be vaccinated to stay on the premises.
According to a report from the Borneo Post, This decision was made because the government’s goal was to vaccinate 60% of the adult population in Sabah. However, on Sunday (September 12), Minister Manjun announced that the percentage of the adult population vaccinated was only 52%. Therefore, the SOPs do not start until the state has achieved its goal.
The minister added that there had also been delays in receiving the second dose of vaccine among employees in the retail and distribution sector, restaurants and supermarkets, especially those taking AstraZeneca. Thus, the new SOPs enactment date acts as a grace period for these employers as “some of their workers are not fully vaccinated”.
In separate news, Pangkor Island is the newest area to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists. Subject to government approval, the area will join the federal territory of Labuan and Langkawi Island, Kedah from November 1, 2021. This was announced by Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi., Chair of the Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee in Perakwho is also a member of the Perak Executive Council.
Per Bernama’s report, she said the decision requires the approval of the National Security Council (Majlis Keselamatan Negara, or MKN) as Pangkor Island’s goal of reaching fully vaccinated adults has still not been achieved.
“According to the latest information, only 87 people out of 8,026 residents, including tour operators, have not been vaccinated or are in quarantine because they have had close contact or were infected with Covid-19 due to health problems.
“To achieve herd immunity on Pangkor Island, at least 8,026 people out of the island’s total population of 11,500 must be fully vaccinated,” said Chairwoman Ashilin.
Image / 123RF
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