Liew said parents were questioning whether the country was actually ready to reopen schools on Jan 20.

She said some felt reopening of schools should be deferred to much later when the situation had improved.

As such, Liew called on the government to ensure stricter safety measures were in place in view of the scheduled reopening of schools and other educational institutions nationwide.

“We cannot afford to have a fourth wave of infections.

“If the government is going ahead with its plan to reopen schools on Jan 20, the priority should be on ensuring that our children study in a Covid-19-free environment, without the potential threat of creating new clusters,” she said.

Liew, who is also Sabah PKR chief, said full compliance with the health guidelines was vital to flatten the curve.

“I am concerned about the deepening health crisis in the country despite measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.

“We have read reports that the nation’s healthcare system is reaching breaking point due to the escalating numbers.

“If we look at the statistics, we can see a continuing daily rise in the number of cases in Sabah, in particular in the wake of the Christmas and New Year celebrations,” said the Tawau MP, after handing out school bags to children here.

Liew said it was one thing to establish standard procedures to curb the disease and another to enforce them effectively.

Sabah had recorded a surge in infections since Jan 1, with the highest being 493 cases (on Jan 7) so far this year.

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