YOURSAY | ‘Italy and Germany are trying a ‘certificate of infection’, S Korea is doing a lot of population testing as exit strategies.’

'Longer sacrifice may be needed' - Minister hints at MCO extension

Anonymous_1548751747110.29271548751096329: An exit strategy of the movement control order (MCO) must be drafted now regardless of when it ends.

It should clearly state what activities will be resumed (and which businesses are to open partially or fully). Also, how social distancing will be executed when the MCO ends and in what format. For example, limiting the number of visitors entering the wet market and the like.

It can't be done without a well-thought-out plan, as what happened on March 18 when the MCO was first mooted. It resulted in the ‘balik kampung’ exodus (and the eventual spread of coronavirus to the whole country).

Anonymous_1550607211: Even China is trying to figure out what the exit strategy is, much less Malaysia which is eight to 10 weeks behind the curve. Look to China for what can be done, and what should be avoided (if there is a third wave of infections).

Italy and Germany are trying a ‘certificate of infection’, and South Korea is doing a lot of population testing as exit strategies. A combo on both is likely to be the path forward, but no one knows what this plan looks like.

Anonymous_3f4b: It is certain that the MCO will be extended. Thailand have imposed an indefinite six-hour night-time curfew while Singapore has a one-month lockdown till May 4.

To end the MCO on April 14 will be premature and not in line with neighbouring countries and may instead bring about a deluge of new cases. It is better to be safe than sorry and an extension is inevitable given the circumstances.

Fairplay: There should be proper guidelines and implementation of the MCO from now on.

Obviously, some manufacturing and commercial services fall into this category from the perspective of national interest. However, their operations must be properly managed to ensure the health of the workers is not affected.

There is also a need to allow proper physical activities such as walking/jogging, gyms, golf, etc, where close contact is not necessary and a hygienic environment can be maintained.

It is not a matter of just merely extending the current MCO for any further period. It must be properly implemented to stop the spread of Covid-19 virus and at the same time avoid deterioration of the national economy as well as the health and well-being of all citizens.

Anonymous_1543574477: Industrial production and plantations must not be closed down totally. Poor blue-collar workers need jobs to pay for their food and take care of their families.

Those living in cooped-up apartments should be allowed to walk within their apartment compound, provided that they strictly follow social distancing. In this testing period, our mental health is also very important.

Quigonbond: At some point, you have to balance between public safety and the economy. No economic activity means no money to pour into your health rescue operations.

You really have to prioritise stepping up virus testing so that people can volunteer to test and if they are clean, they can go back to work.

And stop being hypocrites and think only of your vote bank. The rural, conservative folks are not lacking sensibility. You know who the real culprits are. Just take off your kids gloves when dealing with them.

Annon: Firstly, all those involved in tabligh gatherings and tahfiz schools must be quarantined immediately.

Let everyone else go back to work. However, the government must make it mandatory for everyone to wear face masks.

The country cannot go on like this and after the MCO, a whole new set of problems, especially how to revive the economy, will arise.

Anonymous_3b6c1f0c: If we extend the MCO, we will destroy all industrial capacity and the small- and medium-sized enterprises sector. The Shared Prosperity Vision will be Shared Poverty Vision.

I suppose the latter is a more achievable target for the present Perikatan Nasional (PN) government who lack in talent and competency.

It is easier to implement policies to make everyone poor than policies which may create more wealth for all.

Poverty has worked in Kelantan and its people continue to support and love PAS. PN must be banking on the same formula. After all, power is more important than the welfare of the people.

Just a Malaysian: Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa, sacrifices made for the country is right but the country must be fair to all Malaysians. And now I may not even have a cold beer in my own garden because factories are not allowed to operate.

How do you think I feel as a tax-paying loyal Malaysia-born citizen? Asking me to sacrifice for the greater good of this country?

First, I must feel like it is my country. How to sacrifice if they made me feel like a second- or third-class citizen living on the whims and fancies of others?

Bornean: Sacrifice? Okay, then all PN ministers, their deputies, those top officials in government-linked companies (GLCs) and etc, take a pay cut.

Maybe they can donate their salaries to all needy Malaysians and just survive on their allowances? That will be a great sacrifice.

Anonymous_ab618355: The government should exercise total lockdown of the red zones and let the rest of the country back to work, with some form of restrictions of course.

That way, the problem is addressed and the economy can be revived, slowly. Everybody should also be advised to wear face masks.

Anonymous_78ab6882: Yes, implement targeted lockdown according to areas.

Where the virus infection is rampant, there should be total lockdown. Where there are few infections, partial lockdown and where no infection cases, no lockdown.

However, all are subject to social distancing and all hygiene practices currently emphasised upon must remain.

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