Page 110 - MALAYSIA HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD

As Sabah emerged as the epicentre of the third wave of COVID-19 in Malaysia,
measures had to be taken to safeguard COVID-19 from spreading into the
other parts of the nation, especially its neighbouring state Sarawak. The
Sarawak government had taken prompt action by closing its borders to
Sabah and Kalimantan, Indonesia, following the surge of positive cases in
these places.

Effective from 25th September 2020 , travellers coming from Sabah,
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Labuan, and Peninsular Malaysia were required to submit their entry
applications through the “EnterSarawak” app, 24 hours before entering
Sarawak (Figure 5.8). Once permission was granted by the Sarawak Disaster
Management Committee (SDMC), passengers were required to complete the
e-Health declaration form 12 hours before departure. Upon arrival,
Sarawakians or permanent resident holders were required to undergo
quarantine at home for 14 days, with wristbands being enforced to update
the authorised health providers regarding these passengers’ current
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location . They were required to undergo RT-PCR tests on the 2nd and 8th
days. Exemptions were given to those who were categorised as essential
services and also on certain compassionate grounds. Those who were not
originally from Sarawak were required to submit their COVID-19 RT-PCR test
results (valid for three days) before they were approved to enter Sarawak.
Availability of rooms for quarantine in hotels and training institutions were
limiting factors; hence prudent arrangements were advised to be made.

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The SDMC made several changes to the SOP based on the evaluation of the
current COVID-19 situation in Malaysia. Initially, between 4th and 18th
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October 2020 , all travellers were required to undergo quarantine at
quarantine centres for 14 days and undergo RT-PCR tests on the 2nd and
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10th days. However, starting from 16th December 2020 onwards , the RT-
PCR tests were conducted on the 2nd and 8th days. If the RT-PCR results
were negative, the quarantine period at the quarantine centre would be
shortened to 10 days, and travellers would be allowed to complete the
remaining mandatory quarantine period (14 days) at home.

Besides, Sarawak also stepped up its security along its borders with
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Kalimantan via the “Benteng” operation to curb illegal entries . The
operation involved multiple government agencies such as the Immigration
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Department of Malaysia (JIM), NSC, and PDRM to cooperate with SDMC . All
illegal detainees were screened for COVID-19 using the RT-PCR test and
quarantined at a separate station before being sent to the detention centre.

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74 BATTLING THE THIRD COVID-19 WAVE IN MALAYSIA