KUALA LUMPUR – With Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) being relaxed, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has warned the public against letting their guard down.
In a series of tweets today, Dr Noor Hisham said it is vital that the country keep the Covid-19 transmission rate as low as possible to prevent the propagation of variants of concern or even the emergence of new ones.
This follows the government’s decision to ease certain restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals in states under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) beginning yesterday.
Despite the loosening of SOPs, Dr Noor Hisham said Malaysians must not abuse their privileges, and urged everyone to practise high social discipline.
“If we let our guard down, all the hard work that we have put in and the gains we have achieved will be wasted and (we will go) back to square one where we may face another uphill battle with the virus,” he said.
In a statement on Thursday, then caretaker prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced that fully inoculated individuals in Phase 1 states of the NRP will be allowed to dine in at eateries, among a number of perks.
With the easing of restrictions, we hope the public will continue to practice preventive measures such as mask wearing, hand hygiene & avoidance of closed, crowded & confined spaces. Please get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/81IJVlIUd3
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) August 21, 2021
Those immunised can also take part in outdoor sports and recreational activities that do not involve contact and teams, while weekly and night markets are now allowed to operate.
This has sparked fears of a further escalation of infections, which have been consistently increasing.
The country recorded its highest daily caseload yesterday, with 23,564 infections, with cumulative cases already surpassing 1.5 million.
Daily cases dipped slightly today.
In view of this, Dr Noor Hisham has advised the public to continue practising preventive measures such as wearing a mask, maintaining good personal hygiene and avoiding closed, crowded and confined spaces, particularly with the recent easing of restrictions.
He also urged those yet to be vaccinated to do so immediately.
“If you are a positive case or close contact, please undergo isolation or quarantine immediately and (do) not expose others to the risk of infection.
“Remember there is still a proportion of our population who are not yet vaccinated and thus, are very susceptible to infection and disease,” he added. – The Vibes, August 21, 2021
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