KUALA LUMPUR – In a bid to push for the reopening of the economy and resumption of social activities in Selangor, a coalition of business associations is proposing a “vaccination dividend” which will see inoculated individuals enjoying certain benefits.
Taking a page from the peace dividend following the end of the Cold War – which saw the world economy benefiting and enjoying decades of economic growth and prosperity – the group pushed forward several suggestions to the Selangor menteri besar today.
In an open letter to Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, it proposed that those who have received their first dose of the vaccine should be allowed to work freely, and that their attendance is not counted as part of the allowed threshold of those working under rotation.
The group said dine-ins should also be allowed for these individuals at a maximum capacity of two per table, claiming this should be given consideration since the average efficacy rate after a single jab is already at 70%.
For those who have received their second dosage, it proposed that they be allowed to dine-in as usual, subject to social distancing, and partake in all social and entertainment activities.
These include visiting the cinema, gym, spa, theme park, karaoke, pub and bar.
“We believe this ‘vaccination dividend’ reward will encourage all the current anti-vaccine people to avail themselves for vaccination in order to have the opportunity of freedom and peace of mind.
“This is indeed a win-win strategy both for the State, the economy and the rakyat,” it said.
The open letter was signed by the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, Malaysia Retailers Association, Malaysia Retail Chain Association, Bumiputera Retailers Organisation, Malaysia REIT Managers Association, and the Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Attractions.
The call comes amid growing Covid-19 cases in the state that is showing no sign of slowing down in spite of the statewide lockdown and enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in the majority of Selangor.
The state is the largest contributor to the national economy with a share of almost a quarter of the overall gross domestic product (GDP).
The business associations said with about 69% of the overall Covid-19 cases being sporadic and already present in the community at large, it must be accepted that the situation is endemic.
As such, the group said the absolute number of cases threshold should not be a yardstick for phasing of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
It added that the relatively higher number of infections in Selangor of late is due to mass testing being conducted, and that this number must be modulated when compared to lower numbers from other states that do not conduct mass testing.
Under the federal government’s NRP, the country is only supposed to enter Phase 2 of the plan – which has less stringent restrictions – when daily Covid-19 cases dip below 4,000, among several indicators.
To date, the government has already allowed several states that are below that threshold to enter the second phase, though nationwide infections continue to soar to above 13,000 yesterday.
Moving forward, the coalition of business associations said it would also be too devastating to extend any more district-wide lockdowns, and urged instead for targeted, surgically precise lockdowns building-by-building.
“This is so as not to cause undue damage and pain to the rakyat and businesses that do not contribute to the infection and allow all businesses to re-open and operate so that lives and livelihood can begin to repair and recover.
“Kuala Lumpur that adopted this strategy have proven this to be effective, with many locked down buildings having their lockdown lifted avoiding unnecessary harm and pain to the rakyat and the business,” it added. – The Vibes, July 16, 2021
