KUALA LUMPUR – With only a few days before varsity students are allowed to return home for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, health experts have urged the government to jam the brakes on the decision.
Covid-19 infections are increasing every day and health facilities are nearing full capacity, the experts said, adding that the move may throw a spanner in the works of Malaysia’s fight against the pandemic, resulting in a major disaster.
Public health specialist Prof Dr Rusli Nordin cautioned that the country could face a situation similar to India, where thousands of the South Asian nation’s citizens are being denied treatment as hospitals are overwhelmed with the sheer number of daily Covid-19 cases.
Dr Rusli, who is Taylor’s University School of Medicine head, told The Vibes that considering the current virus situation in the country, the best thing to do is to impose a brief lockdown and bar interstate travel.
This is especially vital with the current vaccine roll-out rate, he said, warning that cases could double if the decision is not reversed.
“There is no choice; this Hari Raya has to be done virtually.
“If we allow (students to return), there will be more (Covid-19) cases and deaths, and it will be very hard to bring down the number of infections.
“The government should reconsider. We worry that a fourth wave may hit us soon.
“Students must also understand that it is not only them who will not be able to return home, but every other Malaysian, too. The best thing now is no ‘balik kampung’.”
The Higher Education Ministry had last week announced that all tertiary students, except those in Sarawak, will be allowed to travel across state borders to return to their homes from May 7 to 12, and back to campus from May 15 to 20.
It said several control mechanisms will be put in place to ensure movement is monitored, including travelling in phases, and learning institutions must prepare exemption letters for their students and coordinate travel dates.
Students are allowed to use only three modes of transport – their own vehicles, their parents’ or guardians’ vehicles or buses coordinated by the institutions – with more than 100,000 individuals expected to be involved in the exodus.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had yesterday announced that six of Selangor’s nine districts will be placed under the movement control order (MCO) from May 6 to 17.
The areas are Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.
The other three districts, namely Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor, remain under the conditional MCO.
With the announcement, he said, interstate and inter-district travel within Selangor is not allowed, except for emergency cases, such as death.
However, there was no mention of the student exodus.
He added that house visits in states and areas under the MCO are allowed only on the first day of Syawal, with a maximum of 15 guests at any one time.
Visits on days one to three of Raya are allowed in states under the conditional MCO (CMCO) and recovery MCO (RMCO).
The number of guests is limited to 20 per house for CMCO areas, while those under the RMCO can host up to 25 people, depending on the size of the house.
Areas under the enhanced MCO (EMCO) are not allowed Raya visits at all.
“However, no open houses are allowed, regardless of the status of the restriction,” Ismail Sabri had said.
Covid-19 can travel both ways – to kampung and back to campus
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba told The Vibes that the government has created travel bubbles to ensure safe travel and reduce the risk of infections.
“The journey home has been fully arranged and complies with standard operating procedures. It is under control until the students reach their destinations.”
However, Dr Rusli said the risk does not apply only to those who are returning home for the holidays, but also to those who will be going back to their respective campuses at month-end.
It is baffling that the government is allowing interstate travel for this group, he added, as risk assessment would have been conducted and the danger highlighted.
Dr Rusli said while learning institutions practise strict standard operating procedures in campuses, they do not have control over what students do outside the premises, further increasing the risk of contracting Covid-19.
“Many cases are asymptomatic, so we won’t know if someone is infected. The fear is that they will meet their parents while carrying the virus, so there is the potential of transmission.
“Also, if they get infected while at home and then return to their campus, that is another problem. The risk is very high, and numbers can easily breach 5,000 a day if this is allowed.”
Every inch of Malaysia risks infection if decision not reviewed
Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said allowing a large number of students to travel home ahead of Hari Raya is unwise, especially as crossing state borders is already barred for all Malaysians.
Most varsity students reside in Covid-19 hotspots in the Klang Valley, he said, and risk spreading the virus to all corners of the country, including green zones.
“The government must stop this immediately, they must reconsider.”
While he understands the aspiration to celebrate Hari Raya with one’s family, Lee said the current Covid-19 situation in the country means that the risk is too high.
“Students may be low-risk individuals considering their age, but if they infect their parents or grandparents, this can prove fatal.
“I am sure next year we will be able to enjoy Hari Raya together, especially if the immunisation programme is carried out as scheduled.
“For this year, unfortunately, it is unsafe.” – The Vibes, May 5, 2021
