Local government and housing minister Masidi Manjun announced yesterday that the state has decided to reinstate the system, which would allow people to travel between districts within the same zones.

However, Masidi said, this would depend on whether 60% of the state’s adult population has been fully vaccinated, and the districts within the six zones must also achieve the same vaccination rate.

The six zones are:

• Zone 1 – Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud, Ranau, Tuaran, Penampang, Putatan and Papar;
• Zone 2 – Beaufort, Kuala Penyu and Sipitang;
• Zone 3 – Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas;
• Zone 4 – Sandakan, Beluran, Telupid, Kinabatangan and Tongod;
• Zone 5 – Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak and Kalabakan; and
• Zone 6 – Keningau, Tambunan and Tenom.

But as of Sept 26, only one district (in Zone 4) is near the 60% target. Beluran is expected to exceed that mark, but neighbouring district Kinabatangan has only registered 38.3%, Telupid 45%, Tongod 47.3% and Sandakan (49%).

Others approaching the 60% rate are Tawau (50.2%), Semporna (52.1%), Papar (52.2%), Nabawan (56%), Keningau (57.5%) and Kunak (58.9%).

It is safe to assume that Keningau and Kunak, and even Nabawan, would be able to achieve the target by Oct 1 but the other districts might have to wait a little bit longer.

Kinabatangan resident Abu Imran told FMT he is frustrated that the low vaccination rate in his district would likely prevent him from seeing his family in Sandakan whom he had not met for months.

Masidi told FMT “the districts have a few days to catch up. This is a good reason for them to ramp up the vaccination rate”.

Sabah community development and people’s well-being minister Shahelmey Yahya said the state Covid-19 immunisation task force (CITF) and the health ministry were trying their best to boost the vaccination rate.

Shahelmey, who is also the state immunisation programme director, said 224 vaccination centres (PPVs) had been opened throughout the state.

Sabah had also allowed walk-in vaccinations for the public, including foreigners, at the PPVs, in addition to outreach programmes in villages, rural areas and remote islands.

“We have also gone to the extent of making house-to-house visits,” he told FMT.

“However, some are not ready to be vaccinated. Hopefully, with more awareness programmes, the people will be more willing to receive the shots.”