KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians will be in lockdown for at least 113 days according to Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“I believe most Malaysians will not accept any more excuses if the lockdown exceeds 113 days, as the first movement control order (MCO 1.0) lasted only 45 days,” said the former prime minister in a Facebook post today.
“It is even longer for Kelantan, as the state started its MCO 3.0 on April 16 and not May 12 (when it took effect in other states).
“We haven’t taken into account the 51 days that were wasted during the half-baked and failed MCO 2.0.”
The government needs to realise that its recovery plan puts Malaysia under MCO 3.0 until conditions for Phase 3 are met on September 1, he said.
Najib highlighted two conditions: daily cases below 2,000 for seven consecutive days, and 40% of the population getting their second vaccine dose.
He said the immunisation rate must be at an average of 265,667 jabs per day for the 75 days to September 1 to achieve the 40% target, regardless of weekends and public holidays, or insufficient vaccine supply.
“If this fails, the rakyat in non-essential sectors cannot make a living. Religious and social activities remain prohibited.
“However, many countries have recovered, or are now recovering (from the pandemic).”
Last week, he said he observed that customers have dwindled for small traders.
“I wonder if they can still make a profit or recover the cost of raw materials since the prices of goods have gone up.”
The Pekan MP has been swift to criticise the Perikatan Nasional government, of which his party, Umno, remains part, over its handling of the pandemic.
On June 15, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin unveiled the NRP involving transitions in the MCO imposed to stem Covid-19.
“The first indicator is community spread, based on daily cases. The second is ICU bed capacity. The third is the percentage of the population that has been fully vaccinated.”
He said Phase 1 involves a full lockdown, which is currently in force, and that the government will consider moving to Phase 2 only when daily coronavirus cases fall below 4,000.
“This is when the healthcare system is no longer at critical capacity, the ICU bed capacity returns to average, and 10% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
“The economy will be reopened in stages, with 80% of employees permitted on the premises. The positive-list approach will be continued, which means only certain sectors are allowed to operate.
“In Phase 2, social activities, and interstate and inter-district travel are still prohibited.
“In Phase 3, the focus will shift from the positive list to the negative list. This means that all economic activities will be permitted except for those on the negative list.”
The Pagoh lawmaker said the transition to Phase 3 will occur when three indicators – daily Covid-19 cases fall below 2,000, the healthcare system is at a “comfortable” level, and 40% of the population has been fully inoculated – have been met.
“It is estimated that this can be attained by early August.
“In Phase 3, all economic sectors are allowed to operate except those on the negative list, like activities that can cause an increase in infections, or involving crowds.
“In Phase 3, social activities, including education and sports, can resume in stages.”
The move to Phase 4 happens when daily infections fall below 500, the healthcare system is at a “safe” level, and 60% of the population has been fully vaccinated, he said.
“Based on the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, this can be achieved as early as October.” – The Vibes, June 20, 2021
