KUCHING: Sarawak is on "red alert" for those returning to the state after the Sabah election in view of the Covid-19 spike there.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas said Sabah was now a red zone with an alarming number of new cases, compared to Sarawak which recorded zero cases over the last few days.

He said 500 policemen from Sarawak were sent to Sabah on Thursday (Sept 24) to assist their counterparts, while senior politicians had also gone to the state to campaign.

"We also have voters going there to cast their votes and then come back.

"Looking at the trend, recent reports indicate that (there are) those returning from Sabah who tested positive for Covid-19. This means we cannot say we are safe," he said.

Speaking at a ceremony to honour Public Works Department retirees in Betong town about 250km from here on Friday (Sept 25), Uggah said Sarawak now had several new requirements for those returning from Sabah.

Among others, Sarawakians coming back from Sabah and Labuan would be quarantined at home for 14 days and tested for Covid-19 on the second and 10th days.

Other Malaysians and foreign nationals coming to Sarawak from Sabah and Labuan must apply for permission to enter via the EnterSarawak online application and submit a PCR test result which is valid for three days.

Those granted permission to enter will be given a five-day pass.

Uggah said everyone must comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) despite the inconvenience.

"We have to form a protective shield around Sarawak against another possible outbreak," he said.