MALAYSIANS at large were subjected to information overload over the week with regard to policy measures, with the government having to step forward to clear up confusion on the hire-purchase loan repayment moratorium and to ease concerns over the partial reopening of the economy.
The moratorium issue was finally cleared by Bank Negara Malaysia, and some banks even offered to abolish any accrued interest/profit, much to the borrowers’ relief. However, the debate on the enforcement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) continues on.
The concerns are valid, borne out of fear for the safety of loved ones; but the arguments are not always sound.
Decisions by the government ranging from the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) starting March 18 to the RM260 bil Prihatin economic stimulus package, which includes huge allocations to beef up healthcare services and support the needy, are generally well received.
The government mobilised all its machinery in the enforcement of the MCO, which saw compliance rising to 95%. This was the very reason for the flattening of the country’s Covid-19 infection curve.
The move to reopen economic activities in “a controlled and careful manner” starting tomorrow (May 4) was made only after studying the data available and ensuring the six conditions recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) had been met, such as having adequate health system capacity.
In an interview aired on TV3 yesterday, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the country is currently using only 30% of its health system capacity.
He also said the government is not forcing any company to rush in restarting operations if it is not ready yet to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as temperature checks.
And let’s not forget, partial reopening means that the MCO is still in place till March 12 and could even be extended further.
Activities involving large gatherings continue to be prohibited, such as attending cinemas, bazaars, theme parks and exhibitions. All schools, colleges and higher-learning institutions are to remain closed as well.
The government has also advised that the public sector and other sectors of the economy to remain working from home as much as possible.
If this is not a soft landing, what is?
The health crisis brought about by Covid-19 and its eventual impact on the economy are unprecedented.
Not a vaccine is in sight and neither is a clear modus operandi on how any government should reopen its economy.
The closest to it that we have is the set of conditions provided by the WHO, which the government is adhering to.
And the resumption of business activities has to start somewhere, as the government has to strike a balance between health and economic demands, between lives and livelihoods.
Tengku Zafrul said the government has a six-phase plan for reopening economy – Resolve, Resilience, Restart, Recovery, Revitalise and Reform (6R) – and the country is in the third phase, which is restarting the economy.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, when announcing the CMCO during his Labour Day address, said there must be strict obedience to the SOPs enforced by the authorities.
The SOPs, among others, stress compliance with keeping a safe social distance of one metre apart, washing hands regularly with water and soap or using hand sanitisers, usage of face masks, and health screening at the entrance of premises.
At the same time, the authorities will also give priority to the protection of high-risk groups like children, infants, senior citizens and the disabled.
The other SOPs are to limit the number of passengers in public transportation, ensure safe distancing is followed, encourage online transactions and immediately report to the Health Department any information on Covid-19 infection.
While the move to relax restrictions under the CMCO has received much flak from certain organisations and members of the public, Malaysians should perhaps recognise that they, too, have a major responsibility to ensure the coronavirus curve remains flat.
Yes, the onus is now on the public to make a difference in the country’s war against Covid-19.
We need to have the discipline and continuously practise social distancing and good hygiene – the new norm.
As said by the Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah: “(Home is) the safest place in the world now for you actually to break the transmission of Covid-19.”
Hence, don’t step out if there is absolutely no reason for it. – May 3, 2020, Bernama.
