2020

We are glad to note that Malaysia is currently in the final phase of recovery as the enforced Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) has managed to reduce the transmissibility of COVID-19 pandemic as Malaysians have shown good adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the authorities.

While we might expect more local economic sectors can be reopened should there be no surge in the number of reported cases, the public is nevertheless reminded to practise social distancing, good personal hygiene, wearing face masks besides avoiding any confined spaces or crowded places.

Starting June 1, interstate travel will only be allowed for work, medical and emergency cases with married couples living apart are also permissible for justified reasons. At the same time, the processing of driving license by the Road Transport Department (RTD) as well as driving schools are allowed to operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with strict adherence to the SOP.

For tourism sector, The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) has also issued guidelines for golf clubs to primarily safeguard the health of golfers, employees and guests in compliance with directives set out by the Health Ministry.

As our government is adopting 6R approach (Resolve, Resilience, Restart, Recovery, Revitalise & Reform) in weathering the economic downturn due to COVID-19, we should expect the medium term plans would be announced by the fourth quarter of this year. We hope this measure will revitalise the economy as businesses are reopening in stages with nearly 70 percent of the workforce has already returned to work.

Even though there is a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases involving illegal immigrants at the immigration detention depots recently, we however feel relieve as the number of local transmission affecting Malaysians are still under control. In fact, out of 1,800 new cases reported in the country from May 4 to 29, only about 200 cases are confirmed Malaysians.

But let us not take this for granted. The new challenge now is to stem the rise of COVID-19 infections among foreign workers without sidelining or stigmatized them, thus requiring collaboration from employers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foreign embassies to address the issue of their crowded living conditions immediately.

Therefore, our employers should educate their foreign workers on social distancing and hygienic practices with those working in the construction and security sectors especially in the red zones, must be screened.

As of June 1, there is an increase in the number of COVID-19 recoveries in Malaysia, totalling to 6,404 in which it represents 81.51% of the total positive cases. The total number of COVID-19 fatalities however remained at 115 cases or 1.46% of the total confirmed cases as no death was reported since May 23.