Govt urged to extend MCO

By Veena Babulal - April 10, 2020 @ 9:53am

KUALA LUMPUR: THE Academy of Medicine of Malaysia has urged the government to extend the Movement Control Order beyond April 14.

“A premature withdrawal or excessive relaxation of MCO restrictions will potentially undo all the good achieved from staying home these past four weeks,” the academy said in a statement yesterday.

“The war against Covid-19 is far from over — many sacrifices have and will continue to be made this year. Let us show the world that Malaysians can exercise restraint as a nation and bring the war to a favourable close.”

For public health reasons, it also pushed for a ban on non-essential interstate travel to continue beyond Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which is expected to fall on May 24.

The academy said this was crucial as other celebrations such as Hari Gawai and Harvest Festival would follow after this.

“While it is understandable that many wish to travel and spend time with their loved ones during Ramadan and Hari Raya, one has to bear in mind that the crisis is unprecedented.”

The academy also said the pandemic had made it necessary for social distancing to be the new norm until the situation was brought under control.

“The risks of spreading the virus, particularly to the elderly, in the case of a ‘balik kampung’ exodus are very real.

“Risks associated with crowding at rest and relaxation centres and the failure of travellers to obey social distancing rules during this exodus and their subsequent return to urban areas would need to be taken into consideration.”

It also said responsible behaviour in adhering to social 
distancing measures was required until a vaccine was available.

“For this year at least, be it Ramadan, Aidilfitri or even haj gatherings, there is a need for control, monitoring and possible banning of these gatherings.

“Given the need to prolong the MCO, we urge the government to strengthen plans to ease the socio-economic repercussions of the pandemic.

“We are cognisant that this pandemic has and will continue to have major negative impacts on the Malaysian economy, which is why robust whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches are needed.”