Southern Sarawak, including Kuching will enter the 3rd phase of the National recovery Plan (NRP) this coming 1 October 2021.
The matter was announced by Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) today during its daily press conference.
This means that less restrictions will be enforced on Southern Sarawak which include districts within the jurisdiction of Kuching Division, Samarahan Division and Serian Division.
More businesses to open
In line with the announcement, SDMC also made it known that several businesses which were ordered to close under the first and second phase of the NRP will now be allowed to open.
The businesses which will be allowed to operate are gyms, karaoke joints, spas, wellness centres, beauty centres, snooker centres, prawn fishing centres, cyber cafes, number forecast shops, swimming pools and health studios (like zumba, yoga etc.)
This will definitely be well received by those operating such businesses as they had been closed for months now.
Domestic travel allowed
Also set to be allowed on 1 October will be domestic district travel which means one can only travel within the same district for recreational purposes.
This means tour guides and local tourist attractions can start receiving visitors formally.
Inter-district travel ban restricted
Despite the improved NRP phase and the relaxation of restrictions, SDMC will not lift inter-district travel ban, adding that one would still need a police permit if they wish to go to another district.
The move to restrict inter-district travel is made possible by on-going road blocks on major roads with random checks done on vehicles passing through these road blocks.
Slowly entering endemic phase
Kuching, and Sarawak in general, entering the 3rd phase of the NRP, is a clear sign that the endemic phase of Covid-19 is now starting here.
While the number of Covid-19 infections in Sarawak continue to hit four digits on a daily basis, the number of those experiencing serious illness due to the virus has declined significantly and the authorities are preparing the people to ‘live with the virus’.
It is therefore hoped that soon some sort of normalcy will return to Kuching and the rest of Sarawak so that life can be less restrictive once more.
You can see the full press release by SDMC below.
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