Relaxation Of Mco A Gamble That Must Pay Off

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Since the MCO started, the restaurant has been desolate and empty, something that is a common sight in eateries across the country
THE May Day announcement by the Prime Minister that the movement control order (MCO) would be greatly (some say gravely) relaxed come Monday (May 4) caught many by surprise
Even those who had access to information in Putrajaya were taken aback by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement that a large section of the workforce would be able to get back to work and 70% of industries would be able to start operating – albeit with new SOPs (standard operating procedures)
Many had figured that the MCO would continue beyond the May 12 deadline for the simple reason that lifting restrictions too early may see another wave of infections – a probability acknowledged by the health authorities
This is something countries way more developed than ours including Germany, Canada and Japan are experiencing after easing restrictions
That the current Phase 4 MCO would go into Phase 5 was anticipated, bearing in mind that Hari Raya festivities could see a spike at least in movements, if not infections
But here we are, one-and-a-half months after the MCO was announced. Many of us will be able to go back to work on Monday. In a severe case of reverse cabin fever, many feel it is too soon and are worried about stepping out of the house or venturing beyond the 10km radius
Perhaps we needed that one month plus to get into the groove of living in the new normal i.e. exercising social distancing; wearing face masks and laboriously seeking new and creative ways to perform our jobs and daily tasks while being conscious of the need to protect ourselves and others
But the reality of the early relaxing of the movement order is the fact that we cannot afford the luxury of sitting at home for another week or two
The coffers are running dry, and if Covid-19 does not kill us, the aftershocks of an already tanking economy would be as devastating
As the Prime Minister revealed, we have lost about RM63bil since the MCO was enforced on March 18, and will lose another RM35bil if the MCO is extended by another month
Before the coronavirus, we were already losing out to our South-East Asian neighbours such as Vietnam and Cambodia
The political instability of the last year did not help to draw confidence. And a current government that was only a week old when the virus started taking its devastating toll will render Malaysia a weak spot when it comes to attracting new money
Everything that was agreed upon pre-Covid 19 will need to go back to the drawing board. And when it comes to China and South Korea, for instance, we are not in a comfortable negotiating position
Hence to wait for another month or another week in this case was not an option. Money is too tight to mention
Elsewhere, major companies including public listed ones are announcing across the board pay-cuts and lay-offs and drafting business continuity plans on zero revenue
The projection by the Human Resources Ministry is that 2.7 million people would lose their jobs due directly or indirectly to Covid-19’s impact on the economy
A major global advertising firm just closed its Malaysian office; at least four media organisations have announced closures or reduction of operations, and even billionaires who paid themselves handsome dividends just a year ago are asking the government for assistance
Well, no one wants to be in the position of this government. One doubts the current administration expected it would have to stave off the worst peace-time threat to the nation
But here we are, and they are now facing a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea, and a choice has been made
Going by current trends, the virus will spread and more people will die
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the reference point during this pandemic, however, seems to endorse the decision, saying the socio-economic needs of the rakyat must also be managed. He also said that we are now in the recovery stage and have to manage the virus within the community
The numbers may not support what he is saying
With 57 new cases on the day that the relaxation of the MCO was announced and 6,000 cases recorded at the time of writing, the fears of the laymen are not unfounded. Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and health professionals have also questioned the prudence of an early relaxation of the MCO
But from the standpoint of the government, it is a risk that has to be taken where there will be a few sacrificial lambs in the form of people who will succumb to the infection
What needs to be ensured is that this gamble pays off with as little casualties as possible
The roll of the dice must be one calculated to ensure that our already maxed healthcare is not further stretched; our testing capacity is capable of accommodating the 22,000 tests a day as promised; and our humanity as a people in caring for migrants is not another casualty of the pandemic. - Star
Terence FernandezTerence Fernandez is an award-winning journalist and communications consultant

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