Shafie Apdal: Foreign detainees should be segregated

PETALING JAYA – Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal has ordered the Sabah government that foreign nationals in prison be segregated from local detainees to curb the spread of the virus.

Shafie said in an emergency meeting and instructed the Sabah police commissioner to segregate foreign detainees who might be a carrier of the coronavirus.

He further added that he will monitor the Covid-19 situtation, so far the spike is under control as the cases only involves inmates at the Tawau Prison.

Benteng Cluster is also recording Covid-19 cases with 167 new cases, while the Benteng Lahad Datu Cluster has recorded 250 positive cases in Tawau and in Lahad Datu with 87 cases.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that Benteng Lahad Datu cluster has been contained by the government as it doesn’t involved locals but rather the illegal immigrants who entered the country.

Shafie said that the state government is providing 10 million face masks, including 5 million that are being distributed in schools and supermarkets.

He has instructed village leaders to distribute the supplies especially for those who had difficulty getting a mask. The Chief Minister also reminded candidates participating in the state elections to practice the standard operating procedure to curb the spread of the virus.