‘We are still in CMCO, not yet in exit strategy stage’

By Xavier Kong

HEALTH director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah clarified that Malaysia is not yet in the exit strategy stage, but is still under the restrictions of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

“We are not actually in the exit strategy, we are only easing the restrictions of the Movement Control Order (MCO). This (the CMCO) is indeed a soft landing, as border control is still ongoing, we are tightening border control. We are still monitoring the situation, and sharing the information with the public,” he said.

The six criteria as put forward by the World Health Organisation are supposed to be for the exit strategy, but Malaysia is already embracing the six criteria before reaching the exit strategy stage.

“As long as we can comply with the six criteria, we have the chance to make a big difference in protecting our health as well as our economy. We will consider opening other sectors slowly but surely once we have achieved the six,” shared Dr Noor Hisham.

He reminded businesses to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) and guidelines, stressing again the need for safe social distancing, good personal hygiene, and clean common spaces.

There were 88 new recoveries reported today, bringing the total of discharged patients to 4,864, which is almost 75% of total cases. There were 68 new confirmed cases, with 57 being foreign nationals, and four being import cases. This brings the total confirmed cases to 6,535.

Active transmission cases currently number 1,564, with 18 being treated in intensive care units. Of these, seven are on ventilator support. No deaths were reported today, leaving the death toll at 107.

Despite the apprehension from the public regarding the CMCO announced on May 4, large factories are complying with SOPs very well, with Dr Noor Hisham noting that the high compliance comes from the resources they have available. However, the worries come from smaller businesses, which may not have the resources.

“Still, the SOP is not difficult. Social distancing, handwashing, wear a mask, avoid public gatherings. We hope that they can comply with these simple measures,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham shared that the CMCO should see a high compliance, judging by the high compliance rate across the MCO period. However, it will only be clear in two weeks whether or not the CMCO has been effective, “whether or not we can succeed in maintaining and controlling the cases.”

On the topic of childcare centres, he said the Ministry of Health (MoH) is still considering this issue, as these places tend to be transmission vectors for infectious diseases, such as the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.

Gathering children following the previous methods will present risks of infection, though the MoH is looking at new means for childcare, so that the risk of transmission can be lowered. – May 8, 2020