KUCHING: Sarawak is prohibiting dining in at eateries and reducing business hours in the southern zone for one week following a spike in Covid-19 cases on Friday (Aug 20).

       These are among tighter standard operating procedures (SOP) to be imposed in eight districts in the southern zone, the state disaster management committee said.

       "Business operating hours will be shortened from 5am to 8pm, while individuals are not allowed to be out in public places after 10pm without a reasonable excuse," the committee said in a statement.

       The tighter SOP will be enforced from Aug 22 to 29 in Kuching, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Asajaya, Simunjan, Serian and Tebedu.

       The decision comes as Sarawak registered a record high of 2,548 new cases on Friday, with seven of the eight southern zone districts reporting the highest number of cases.

       This is the first time the state has breached the 2,000 mark, taking its cumulative tally to 94,564.

       Kuching district also reported its highest daily figure of 1,601 cases, followed by Serian (240), Bau (131), Samarahan (116), Lundu (94), Simunjan (60) and Tebedu (41).

       Another 24 districts reported between one and 38 cases each.

       Over 99% of the new cases were in categories one and two (asymptomatic and mild symptoms), with 2,224 and 323 respectively.

       Only one case was listed in the most severe category five (symptomatic and requiring a ventilator).

       The committee also said one new community cluster was declared in Belaga.

       The Long Urun cluster, which involves a longhouse at Long Urun, currently has 79 confirmed cases out of 218 individuals screened.

       There are currently 118 active clusters in the state.