KUALA LUMPUR – The decision to place Malaysia under the movement control order (MCO) again starting tomorrow until June 7 has been deemed the right move to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore Dr Ying-Ru Jacqueline Lo said the measure is important as the capacity of hospital utilisation had reached a critical level with the increase in daily cases.
She said Malaysians have no choice but to limit contact by adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“We are crossing the red line when hospital wards and intensive care units are filling up. When more healthcare workers are getting infected, there is a risk that the healthcare system will collapse,” she said via a phone call during Bernama TV’s Mid-day Update programme today.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced the enforcement of a blanket MCO from May 12 to June 7 after chairing a special National Security Council (NSC) Meeting on Management of Covid-19 in Putrajaya yesterday.
Dr Lo said the people should support the move as the same measures are also being taken by many other countries to curb the pandemic.
While understanding the frustrations and concerns of the people, especially those celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, she stressed that isolation of contacts is paramount.
“It is very difficult for the government to announce the drastic measure, but clearly, WHO recommended that the community be part of the government’s measures; the government will not be able to do it itself.
“It should also be kept in mind that the pandemic situation can change very quickly, and members of society need to continue listening to every healthcare authority’s directive,” she said.
She added that the government should also continue engaging every sector involved, especially the economic sector, so that they will continue implementing safety measures in their businesses. – Bernama, May 11, 2021
