KUCHING: Travellers entering Sarawak from overseas will no longer need to apply through EnterSarawak or fill in the e-health declaration form once the state's borders reopen on April 1.

       Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said this was in line with the Federal Government's decision to open the nation's borders.

       "It means we will allow travellers from overseas – both Sarawakians and non-Sarawakians – to enter Sarawak with minimal procedures.

       "All they need to do is download and fill in the pre-departure form in MySejahtera.

       "The detailed standard operating procedures (SOP) will be provided in soft copy to them," he told a press conference here on Monday (March 21).

       Uggah said the state disaster management committee was now preparing the state's airports to receive international travellers.

       "We hope that once we open our borders, the hassle at the airport will be minimised.

       "We are preparing the SOP and facilities for testing," he said, adding that discussions were ongoing with Brunei and Indonesia to facilitate entry procedures by land.

       International travellers must take a PCR test two days before departure and a professional antigen rapid test upon arrival.

       Uggah also said Ramadan and Gawai bazaars would be allowed after April 1, with SOP to be released by the state Local Government and Housing Ministry.

       He said updated SOP for religious activities would be released by Majlis Islam Sarawak and the state's Unit for Other Religions (Unifor).

       "In the transition towards endemicity, Sarawak will gradually lift restrictions that were put in place to help curb the transmission.

       "The government will take all necessary precautions and plan for the most practical SOP and reasonable timeline in order to ensure that we are able to move towards endemicity safely," he said.

       In this connection, Uggah urged everyone to get their Covid-19 vaccination and booster doses as this had proven to be effective in protecting against severe illness and death.

       He said vaccination had proceeded well in Sarawak, achieving a rate of 88.7% for booster doses and 69.5% for children.

       "The war against Covid-19 is not over yet. It is important for us to stay vigilant all the time," he added.