KOTA KINABALU: The world's only sunbear conservation centre is set to welcome visitors back tomorrow, with strict rules in place.
Nestled among the Sepilok forest reserve in Sandakan, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) limits its visitor entry to 50 at a time for now.
To control public access, its founder Dr Wong Siew Te said each visitor would be given a numbering tag upon entry.
"They are required to surrender the tag to the entrance before leaving the centre, so that we know how many visitors are inside the compound.
"There will be no age restriction, but we advise parents not to bring their babies or senior citizens not to wander around," he said when contacted, today, adding they have developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) as required by the Ministry of Health.
The centre provides body temperature checking station, registration station with SabahTrace - a digital check-in system to track movement of individuals hand sanitiser and disinfectant footbaths.
"There are social distancing lines, signboards and staff station at each platform to remind visitors about social distancing and personal hygiene.
"The centre will conduct disinfection three times a day on areas where visitors might touch," said Wong, adding all their public sections will be opened to the public as usual.
Apart from BSBCC, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre that is located adjacent to it will also resume operations along with the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park near Kota Kinabalu after the government allowed ecotourism to operate.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga yesterday said these three popular tourist spots for wildlife viewing are only open to locals and Malaysian visitors for the time being.
Tuuga also said the premises must strictly adhere to SOPs set by the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, National Security Council and Health Ministry to prevent the spread of Covid-19.