File photo showing a security guard scanning the temperature of a shopper.
KUCHING (July 5): The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) listed Farley Supermarket in Sibu under the Ministry of Health’s Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) today.
In its daily Covid-19 update, SMDC said this brought the state’s cumulative number of HIDE locations to 241.
Sibu reported 32 new infections, the fifth highest number of cases statewide.
On May 8, National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said HIDE premises and locations had potential to turn into clusters if pre-emptive actions were not taken.
“Premises listed under HIDE are different from the list of clusters issued each day by the Health director-general. Premises listed under HIDE do not need to close except when directed by the authorities.
“The listing of these locations and premises enables pre-emptive interventions and appropriate actions to be taken by the authorities, owners of premises and the public to prevent the emergence of new clusters,” he added.
Khairy said if no hotspots emerged in the premises after the implementation of pre-emptive actions, these premises would be removed from the HIDE list within a period of seven days after their listing.
He, however, said premises may be listed in HIDE more than once.
“Premises frequently visited by the public, are congested and without good ventilation are at high risks of being listed more than once.”
Khairy also said if possible, the public should postpone visits to the listed locations and premises, but if they could not avoid going to these places, they must always abide by the guidelines set and practise the new normal.