GEORGE TOWN – The only way to effectively contain Covid-19 is by stepping up the vaccination campaign and efforts to regain public trust in the government.
Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee said Putrajaya must realise that it is failing to counter the coronavirus’ spread and the disease’s after-effects, and that referencing the situation in other countries will not help Malaysia better tackle the pandemic.
Reimposing the movement control order (MCO) will not be as effective as when it was first introduced in March last year, he told The Vibes.
“Back then, we didn’t do testing. Now, with all the screening, but a prevailing lack of awareness in society, the virus has seeped into the community, and it is tougher to contain.
The only way out of this pandemic is a stepped-up campaign to inoculate as many people as possible, and the exercise should be done around the clock. Concurrently, health authorities need to deploy as many doctors as possible to counter the anti-vaccine movement and those who spread lies through social media.
“We need a stronger sense of leadership. Instead, the government continues to flip-flop in many instances, raising the trust deficit in the community. Once the government loses trust, it may need to use the stick rather than the carrot. People will not comply if they do not trust you.”
The National Security Council may have the people’s best interest at heart when deciding to reimpose the MCO on three of Penang’s five districts, he said, but the move is unlikely to successfully contain the virus as it does not address the core issues relating to infections in the state.
The said issues are, the virus has spread in the community, need for more testing and isolation, and most importantly, increasing the vaccination rate, he said.
“Look at China. They allowed people to gather on May 1, a public holiday, and there were no cases detected as their citizens are disciplined and well-informed.
“But the root of success is that many of them have accepted the need to be vaccinated.”
He called for more transparency to coax as many people as possible to get the jab.
Meanwhile, a doctor who requested anonymity said education on virus transmission is more important than movement restrictions.
All we hear are standard operating procedures and punitive measures. No educational efforts. Before the surge, the warning signs were there, as many no longer wore masks and were eating together in a confined space.”
Five places of interest in the state will be closed for three days after being listed in the government’s Hotspot Identification by Dynamic Engagement system.
These places are Queensbay Mall, Gurney Paragon Mall, the Lotus Penang hypermarket near E Gate, Aeon supermarket in Queensbay Mall, and Toshiba TEC Manufacturing Sdn Bhd plant.
Police will mount up to 15 permanent roadblocks in MCO districts. Mukim 12 in Balik Pulau, meanwhile, is under the enhanced MCO.
The authorities have partially closed the road leading to Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge and the flyover in Gelugor leading to Bayan Baru.
Southwest district police head A. Anbalagan urged people to comply with the SOPs and remain home, so as to break the chain of transmission. – The Vibes, May 9, 2021
