SANDAKAN – Despite it being an unpopular decision, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he believes it is right to delay announcing the endemic phase of the Covid-19 National Recovery Plan (NRP), due to the Omicron variant.
“It is okay that it is not popular, what is important is the public’s safety and health,” he said when commenting on the decision to postpone the endemic phase.
The endemic phase’s announcement was expected last week.
“I don’t think that we are late (to enter the endemic phase) even though all states are now in Phase 4 of the NRP. We are observing the situations in certain countries that are really worrying.
“The United States recorded a million new Covid-19 cases two weeks ago, and over 500,000 daily cases now. In Australia, despite being in constant lockdown, they recorded 60,000 new Covid-19 cases a day.
“As a high number of people are contracting the virus, there surely are people in the high-risk group, whether they are senior citizens, or have diabetes or underlying medical conditions.
“A large number of Omicron cases here would affect people in this group; it would put pressure on our hospitals and intensive care unit beds.”
Hishammuddin said that even as he had given his word that there will be no more “massive” lockdowns, there should also not be a massive reopening of borders.
He said this at a press conference after visiting the Joint Task Force 2 Base, Kukusan Camp in Tawau, during his second day in Sabah today.
He added that the endemic phase will see a single set of standard operating procedures with seven to eight matters that will be highlighted to the public soon. – The Vibes, January 14, 2022
