This is despite the recent announcement by the government on the relaxation of certain Covid-19 rules for fully vaccinated people, effective Aug 10, including for interstate and inter-district travel.

State deputy police chief Mazli Mazlan said the authorities are still sticking by the previous revised SOPs for Sabah, which is currently under Phase 2 of the national recovery plan (NRP).

“We will wait for the new SOPs,” he said in a brief text message when asked if the police had implemented the new ruling.

Mazli was commenting on a report by Sinar Harian which quoted Sabah crime prevention and community safety chief Yusoh Mat Tais as saying that the Miti approval letters or police permits were still needed to pass through police roadblocks when crossing districts.

Yusoh said the police are still using the previous SOPs, which were revised on Aug 6, until the state issued new regulations.

“The public still needs to apply for approval and permits from the police for inter-district travel.

“The relaxation in rules to cross districts for those who have received two vaccine doses is still not applicable in the state,” he said after an event at the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters here today.

Putrajaya had previously announced the relaxation of several rules for those who have been fully vaccinated from Aug 10.

It includes allowing couples in long-distance relationships to travel and meet each other as well as parents to visit their children aged below 18.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the easing of the restrictions would apply to all phases of the NRP, adding inter-district travel will also be allowed for fully vaccinated individuals in states under Phase 2 of the plan.

“They are required to show their Covid-19 digital certificate to the authorities at roadblocks to prove that they have been fully inoculated,” Muhyiddin had said.