KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has no plans to impose stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) for this month’s Kaamatan, says the state’s Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

       His assurance came as the state celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri, one of the two festivals in Sabah this month, and it is easy for people to let their guard down in observing Covid-19 prevention measures.

       Masidi said although the state is not planning to impose stricter SOP of its own for Kaamatan gatherings, the people must take it upon themselves to prevent an infection surge.

       “It will be the same SOP for all festivities, including Kaamatan.

       “Yes, you can enjoy yourselves but have fun responsibly,” he said when contacted.

       Masidi said he understood that after two years of subdued celebrations, the people would want to let their hair down.

       “But at the same time, don’t overdo it as the country, particularly the state, is not out of the woods despite low daily Covid-19 cases,” he said.

       The last time Sabah recorded three-figure cases was on April 22 with 149 infections and ever since then, the state has been detecting only double-digit cases, with the lowest at 12 on Tuesday.

       Kaamatan, or Harvest Festival, is celebrated throughout the month of May with the climax at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) hall in Penampang, near here.

       Besides the cultural gala, the month is also usually associated with plenty of merrymaking.

       Meanwhile, Sabah recorded 23 new cases in the latest 24-hour span, which was 11 more than on Tuesday.

       Masidi said, as predicted, the number of new cases would continue to rise throughout this month.

       “The public can help control the increase by always heeding the Health Ministry’s SOP, including opting to wear face masks in places where they are no longer required to do so,” he said.