Good morning, here's a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.
Key Highlights
- 346 dead in a week
- MCO 3.0 tweaks
- Double masking
346 dead in a week
A total of 346 people died from Covid-19 in Malaysia last week, the highest since the pandemic started.
As a comparison, 243 people died on both sides in the 11-day Israel-Palestine conflict which ended with a ceasefire last Friday.
Amid the deteriorating Covid-19 situation, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin last night addressed the pandemic in a televised interview.
The salient points are as follow:
- Full restrictions like the first movement control order (MCO 1.0) last year can’t be done as it would be too economically costly.
- Repeated changes to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were due to the "dynamic" situation.
- Some may have got away with SOP breaches as there aren’t enough enforcers but the government’s principle is against any double standards.
- Putrajaya has already acquired Covid-19 vaccines for more than 100 percent of the population and it is now only a matter of arrival timing.
- The last of the Covid-19 supply will arrive by the end of the year, ahead of the initial 2022 schedule.
Muhyiddin was also visibly frustrated, stating that he was prepared to be called "stupid PM" as long as everyone played their part to contain the pandemic.
HIGHLIGHTS
AstraZeneca round 2: How to sign up and what to know?
An updated guide for the new round of the vaccination.
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Zahid: Don't link Umno to PN govt's failure He says PN is responsible for Covid-19 failures.
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'DG linked to Freemasons' - College clarifies Conspiracy theorists targeted the Health DG.
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MCO 3.0 tweaks
The highly anticipated ‘stricter’ MCO stopped short of any economic shutdown. Instead, it was only minor tweaks.
Some criticised the government for failing to introduce tough measures but the Finance Ministry said a full-scale MCO will hurt vulnerable groups.
Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah instead urged the public to impose "self-lockdown" for two weeks.
Here’s are some changes:
- Rail capacity reduced to 50 percent
- Park & dine banned
- Combined management and operations staff in office capped at 60 percent (Previously 30 percent for management and no limit for operations)
- Operation hours for businesses reduced by two to four hours.
Interestingly, the previous provision exempting elected representatives from travelling across districts for official duty was dropped.
The details of the revised MCO, which will come into effect tomorrow (May 25), can be found here.
HIGHLIGHTS
Anti-emergency panel hopes palace will set date They want to meet the ruler as promised.
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'Malaysia's vaccination worse than some poorer countries' M'sia behind Chile, Mexico and Kazakhstan.
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Klang Valley ICU capacity at 113pct
Non-Covid-19 patients also affected.
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Double masking
Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob recommended people who go to high-risk places to put on double face masks.
The Health Ministry shared guidelines by the US’ Centre for Disease Control on how wearing two masks can protect you better.
They should be a combination of a cloth mask and three-ply surgical masks and not two of the same.
Here are some quick ways to get better protection compared with a regular three-ply surgical mask.
- Wear a combination of surgical and cloth masks
- Tie a knot with the loop of your surgical mask
- Use an N95 face mask
HIGHLIGHTS
Two-hour limit for customers at retail premises
This includes shopping complexes.
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Covid-19 positive in UK: M'sian family recounts experience
Free Covid-19 test kit delivered to their home.
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Critical blood supply shortage in Sabah People are not donating blood during Covid-19.
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A daily glance at Covid-19
- 6,976 new cases yesterday (May 23), another new record high since the start of the pandemic.
- Notably, two young casualties were among the 49 new fatalities. They were aged 25 and 27 with no pre-existing chronic diseases.
- The number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) doubled in just 19 days from 328 to 681.
- For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
What else is happening?
- Another corruption trial involving Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will commence today. This involves 40 charges regarding the Foreign Visa System. Previous hearings were on the 68 charges related to his foundation Yayasan Akalbudi, which he allegedly used for money laundering.
- Police seized Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's mobile phone over a social media posting calling for justice over custodial death cases.
- Defence Minister Ismail Sabri said he didn't know that Genting Highlands casinos were operating during the MCO and has ordered them to close.
- More recipients have claimed that they were given less than the intended dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and received a top-up shot after complaining.
- Netizens questioned whether Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had allegedly flouted Covid-19 SOPs after attending a dinner event with the Johor Darul Ta'zim football team two weeks ago.
HIGHLIGHTS
Anwar: Why the slow vaccine delivery? He notes this was despite warm ties with China.
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Kok slams 'harassment' of Syed Saddiq She says it was highly improper.
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Penang cops probing alleged Covid-19 vaccine scam
Six police reports have been received.
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What are people saying?
Covid-19: A week of omnishambles
By Syahredzan Johan
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What does proper crisis leadership sound like?
By Nathaniel Tan
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More reasons to control blood pressure during pandemic
By Dr Nor Afiqah Nordin et al
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KINI LENS