KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government's decision to maintain the inter-district travel restriction was due to the continuing spike in Covid-19 cases in the state.

       Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said despite efforts by authorities such as placing Enhanced Movement Control Orders (EMCO) on affected localities among others, the numbers continued to rise with Thursday marking over 2,000 cases.

       "Therefore roadblocks will continue to be mounted because inter-district travel is still not allowed. The people must strictly observe this SOP," he said after his working visit to the northern Kudat district.

       Last Sunday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the relaxation of some Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) in states under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) Phase Two which included allowing inter-district travel for those who had been fully vaccinated.

       Sabah's NRP Phase Two SOPs updated on Aug 12, however, stated that inter-district travel restrictions were still in force except for emergency cases, work (supported by letters from employees), Covid-19 vaccination appointments and those in the essential service sectors.

       The updated SOP for Sabah also stated that permission from police was required for movements across districts for emergency cases, married couples in two different districts and parents wishing to see their below 18-year-old children.

       In this respect, Hajiji said among measures to combat Covid-19 was vaccinating as many people as possible as well as ensuring SOPs were adhered to at all times.

       "We urge the people to refrain from holding gatherings that will involve many people for the time being. We want the people to be more disciplined. Only then we can flatten the curve," he said.

       According to the Chief Minister, Sabah would be getting 200,000 doses of the single-dose CanSino vaccine next week, following assurance from Minister in charge of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, Khairy Jamaluddin that Sabah would get priority on CanSino vaccine supply.

       With the arrival of the single-dose vaccines, it would help boost the vaccination numbers needed to reach herd immunity.

       To date, 1,227,628 or 44.5% of the state's population above 18 years old had received their first dose.

       During his visit, Hajiji went to the Dewan Tun Mustapha vaccines administration centre (PPV) where he met with the frontliners and observed the vaccination process.

       In fresh SOPs released on Thursday, the state government adopted the Federal SOPs to allow dine-ins as long as eatery operators, their workers and customers were fully vaccinated.

       It also allowed hotels to open for domestic tourism but was limited to guests from the same districts and those involved in the travel bubble.