KUALA LUMPUR – The nation yet again awaits for the National Security Council to decide whether a full-scale lockdown will be imposed to curb the surge of Covid-19 infections.
The NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to start at 3pm.
Earlier, The Vibes learnt that the prime minister met with trade representatives from several business associations.
They have made clear that a total lockdown should not be considered and that economic sectors remain open. However, they are working on identifying “less essential” sectors to operate at a reduced capacity.
They are in support to continue to close schools and kindergartens and enforce the work-from-home policy where necessary.
Lastly, they are also understood to be in support of the vaccination programme beginning to target the most vulnerable.
Most of the demands have echoed what several opposition lawmakers have been saying – that a total lockdown should only take place if the government is ready to cushion the economic sectors with loan moratoriums, wage subsidy programmes and so on.
They also pushed for mass testing to better identify hotspots, contact tracing and isolation.
The nation yet again awaits for the National Security Council to decide whether a full-scaled lockdown will be imposed to curb the surge of Covid-19 infections.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) May 21, 2021
In the meantime, do you think the government should impose another full-lockdown?https://t.co/Eadu3XynJj
Yesterday, it was reported that the imposition of a full-scale lockdown would be discussed in today’s NSC meeting.
Law minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said that it “is one of the steps or options that need to be considered by NSC. Previously, we implemented the MCO, CMCO, RMCO and so on.”
Takiyuddin was referring to iterations of the movement control order (MCO), namely the conditional MCO and recovery MCO.
“It will probably be discussed and decided during the NSC meeting with the prime minister, and all the menteris besar and chief ministers.”
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari yesterday tweeted that he had been informed that all menteris besar and chief ministers were invited to the NSC meeting.
There has been rife speculation of a lockdown for states with high numbers of active Covid-19 cases.
Malaysia yesterday logged a record-high 6,806 and 59 deaths.
Today, new cases fell slightly to 6,493. – The Vibes, May 21, 2021
