By iWisers
AFTER Hari Raya Aidilfitri has passed, Malaysians nationwide are officially in lockdown. This is the second year in a row celebrating Raya during a movement control order (MCO).
This is an unusually dull affair, without the rituals of balik kampung commutes, happening family gatherings, and not to forget the open houses brimming with rendang, ketupat, kuih, and all kinds of other Raya only specials.
Netizens are in a word “upset”; on top of that, having all these new rules and different announcements every few days only makes things worse.
Fed up with the MCO announcements, 35.2% of Netizens have got #MCO3.0 trending, especially with a whole load of user-generated memes.
Meanwhile, 20.6% of Netizens want the MCO 3.0 to be enforced like the very first MCO as the strict SOP
compliance led to successfully flattening the curve back then.
From zero new positive cases to the current blow up in cases, 32.2% of Netizens say that the Government has completely failed to manage the pandemic crisis, and that MCO 3.0 was implemented because vaccines are being rolled out too slowly and they (15.6%) question the rationale on why MCO 2.0 was lifted so soon.
Many fear the ultimate impact that this confused governing could have on the nation’s economic outlook and citizens’ livelihoods.
Breaking MCO 3.0 down, minus all the confusion
Nationwide a MCO 3.0 effective from May 12th to June 7th due to a surge in new COVID-19 cases.
Latest rules for MCO 3.0:
- Only takeaways, drive-thru, and delivery (no dine-in) are allowed for restaurants and F&B outlets in MCO 3.0 districts (only till 8pm).
- Interdistrict and interstate travel is strictly prohibited. It can only be broken in case of emergency or for work (provided you have a travel letter). Roadblocks will be set up at district and state borders.
- All schools and educational institutions will be closed. Childcare centres, tadika, taska, and tabika are allowed to operate in hopes of easing the load on working parents.
- All forms of social activities and business events such as kenduri, weddings, celebrations, seminars, face-to-face meetings are not allowed.
- Majlis akad nikah is allowed with strict SOP set by authorities.
- All forms of sports and recreational activities are not allowed except for individual sports such as jogging, cycling, and exercises in open spaces with proper physical distancing.
- Work-from-home arrangements are now mandatory with only a maximum of 30% of management staff being allowed in the office at a time.
- Permission letters that are issued to employees by employers are sufficient documentation to cross district lines (police approval not required).
- The number of passengers per vehicle (including private cars, taxis, and e-hailing vehicles) is limited to three people including the driver.
- Citizens who need to cross district lines to head for their vaccination appointments do not require a permission letter and can simply show authorities proof of appointment on the MySejahtera app, website, or SMS if stopped.
- Interstate and interdistrict travel for married couples living apart is allowed provided permission is obtained from the police
List of prohibited activity centres:
- Spas and reflexology centres
- Clubs and pubs
- Theme parks and indoor playgrounds
- Karaokes
- Cinemas
- Contact sports and tournaments involving audiences
- Group sports and events such as fun runs and marathons
- Social activities involving big groups including weddings, receptions, gatherings, retreats, birthday celebrations, kenduri, etc.
- Business events involving big groups such as seminars, conferences, talks, exhibitions, etc.
Masks are mandatory in all public spaces and can only be taken off:
- While at home with only family members
- While in hotels or accommodation with only family members
- When alone in a workspace
- While doing sports or recreational activities (indoors and outdoors)
- In the car with only family members
- Indoors or outdoors without other individuals around
- While eating or drinking
In the midst of all of these mind-boggling ever-changing rules, citizens are rushing to get their names registered for a voluntary vaccination with AstraZeneca, which has been trending as well.
Here’s hoping that three is indeed a charm and MCO 3.0 will be the final lockdown before the curve is flattened once and for all. – May 24, 2021
iWisers is a leading digital marketing and consulting agency that provides in-depth multi-method research, digital marketing and strategy consulting.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
