In a statement, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen maintained that the state government should keep on testing asymptomatic close contacts if it really planned to treat Covid-19 as endemic.

“Such a decision is dangerous especially since all children under 12 are not vaccinated yet and a majority of those between 12 and 17 are still waiting to be vaccinated.

“The fight against Covid-19 is still not over, especially when our children are still vulnerable and the effectiveness of vaccine protection on those fully vaccinated will decrease over time.

“While we acknowledge the need to open up the economy, certain measures must be adopted to minimise the risk of infection, illness and death. Surely, reducing tests is not the correct way,” he said.

Health news portal CodeBlue reported that Sarawak would no longer test close contacts with no symptoms although they will be isolated at home.

Sarawak health director Dr Mohamed Sapian Mohamed said health authorities will still monitor them through virtual Covid-19 Assessment Centres (CAC).

“People were asking why we place them at home but don’t test. The reason is that even if we test you, you are positive, but you are in Category One. We put you at home so you won’t infect others. You are safe at home.

“So why test? Because now, the more you test, the more you get. Now, what we want to do, besides home quarantine, the first thing is health education so that people observe SOPs and don’t spread the disease to others,” he was quoted as saying.

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