By Aznan Mat Piah
Following relaxation of the movement control order (MCO), today (4 May) we find things are almost returning to normal when people started going back to their office to work. In Kuala Lumpur, the streets are beginning to get back into traffic jam as people rush out to their destinations. Public transportations have started to resume. Bus, LRT and MRT services are now active again. Restaurants, shops and shopping malls will be open as other sectors of economy begin to operate. Factories will also stay open.
Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced last Friday (1 May) for business sector to reopen from 4 May after almost two months of lockdown, eight days before the fourth phase of the MCO is supposed to end on 12 May. However, certain sectors of the industry that require greater human contact and interactions such as education, tourism and hospitality industries remain closed. Activities in groups that involved large gatherings both indoor and outdoor are still prohibited.
As businesses open today, society is reminded that the ease of restrictions comes with social responsibility and social disciplines that they must bear in mind since the coronavirus is here to stay. As stated by the Director General of Health, Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah the battle against COVID-19 has not ended and the war is still on.
Here, the onus of ensuring that there will not be a spike in virus infection lies very much with everyone out there to practice social distancing, good personal hygiene and to abide by all the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued by the authorities. They must observe the procedures within the context of the new normal which is a reality today.
We know that if businesses are not allowed to resume and people continue to be on a lockdown, it would mean the economy will continue to suffer. The Prime Minister had mentioned that the country had lost RM63 billion since the MCO came into force almost two months ago. It is estimated that the loss will reach RM98 billion if the control order might remain for another month. The consequences are obvious; many people will lose their job, more employees will be retrenched as companies will fold up and not be able to sustain their businesses. Well, this is where the concern for our livelihood that has got to go on. We understand that.
On the other hand, we are also concerned with health and healthcare to ensure that the virus would not further spread among the community to cause exponential cases to rise. And this is also a serious matter that cannot be taken lightly as the coronavirus is contagious and dangerous, and can easily spread. Many of us are equally worried.
So, this is where we have to find a balance between life and livelihood. While on one hand, the need to ensure the economy goes on without interruptions, on the other, the concern of ensuring health and healthcare of people will not be seriously affected.
As society has been given the empowerment, we should be able to exercise this responsibility in a manner that ensures high social discipline and social compliance are upheld, and to put into practice strictly social distancing in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOPs) laid down by the Ministry of Health.
We cannot be seen to be doing the right thing only when we are under supervision of the authorities. As responsible citizens we all know our role and what are to be expected. Therefore, we should self impose on ourselves to do what we think is right, not just for us as individuals, but the community at large, to ensure that the virus will not spread.
Remember, the ease of the restrictions accorded us today will be a test of our wisdom, patience, sincerity and truthfulness as well as integrity in putting into practice what we should be doing to ensure the spread the virus infection is contained.
Let’s not allow the guidelines and SOPs to appear good only on paper, it should be in the action and implementation.
For those who have no business or anything urgent to attend to, please don’t go out. Let’s stay at home or work from home if you can, or if we are not required to be in the office, stay put. ***