Lee (ninth from left), Ting (eighth from right) together with others cutting the cake to officiate the gathering.

MIRI: The public are urged to take note of the health advisory issued by Sarawak Disaster Management Committee following several positive Covid-19 cases reported in the state.

Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said it is important for the people to give their total cooperation by taking necessary precautionary measures to minimise infection risk.

“Several confirmed cases on Covid-19 have been reported in Sarawak including Miri. Therefore, it is most important for the people now to practise high personal hygiene and look after their own health.

“If anyone is feeling unwell such as fever, flu or cough, please seek medical treatment just to make sure that your sickness has nothing to do with the disease,” he stated in his address when officiating at the Tri-Monthly Senior Citizens Gathering by Thai Poo Community Association Miri at Boulevard Restaurant yesterday.

As now is the school holiday, Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, advised parents not to take their children for vacation.

“We are now facing the Covid-19, just stay at where you are and please do not bring your children for vacation. The responsibility to handle the disease should not solely be shouldered by the State Disaster Management Committee. Everybody must take the same responsibility to minimise the infection.”

At the same time, he said the State Disaster Management Committee would give updates on the latest Covid-19 situation in the state and told the people not to rely on information from unknown sources.

“The Covid-19 is a global concern and it is really sad that there are irresponsible people who like to spread fake news which only cause unnecessary panic among the people.

“This should not be happening at all. Let the State Disaster Management Committee handle the matter in accordance with standard operating procedure.

“The public should give their cooperation by observing and practising extra precautionary measures particularly on personal hygiene which had been reminded frequently.”

Commenting on the event, he said the organiser had informed him earlier that less than 250 people were at the gathering and several measures had been taken before allowing the people to attend the function such as taking body temperature and hand sanitization.

He advised other associations here to postpone their events and functions for health reason.

Also present was Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting.