KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will be tightening its rules for those wanting to enter the state starting May 20, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

The minister in charge of Covid-19 matters in Sabah said the stricter requirements are set following an increase in Covid-19 cases due to entries into the state recently.

“A new cluster in Tawau emerged due to the arrival of a couple from Labuan on May 7 and another, also from Labuan, into Tawau district on May 8, ” he said during his daily Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday (May 18).

Masidi said among the new rules for entry into Sabah is a mandatory Covid-19 swab test with negative results, mandatory 14-day self-paid quarantine at selected hotels for non-Sabahans, mandatory 14-day home quarantine for Sabahans and permanent residents, and those holding work passes in Sabah.

A total of 16 hotels in Kota Kinabalu and one in Tawau are allowed to take in guests for self-quarantine purposes.

Some of the hotels have been pre-booked by offshore companies but non offshore workers can try to ask for a room if the hotel management agrees.

Masidi said government officials who need to enter Sabah for work related matters are not required to undergo the 14-day quarantine but they must be tested negative for Covid-19 before they can come here.

Foreign investors who wish to enter for the sole purpose of investing in Sabah are allowed with permits and government approval, he said.

He said foreign investors do not need to undergo self-quarantine, but they need to apply to enter beforehand.

They must also be tested negative for the virus prior to entry into Sabah, Masidi said.

Earlier, he said Sabah recorded 95 new Covid-19 cases with zero deaths and no new clusters on May 18.

He said roadblocks are also manned where a total of 202 drivers were ordered to turn back for trying to cross zones among other violations.

The list of hotels and other SOPs can be found at the state national security council Facebook page or website, or via the state Informations Department webpage.