IT was not much of a surprise when Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced another extension of the movement control order (MCO), now until May 12.

The writing was already on the wall as there were constant indicators that we were in for a long haul with this pandemic.

Although vaccine trials have started on human volunteers, we are still some time away from it being proven effective and made available to the global community.

We have to plan a strategic exit plan incorporating the socio-economic needs of our society along with basic human rights and the need to move freely with long-term health requirements as the complementing factor.

It is humbly opined that we should take a step further in the new normal by incorporating exercise and more micro-economic activity into the MCO.

The B40 segment of society can be seriously affected by their inability to earn enough to survive and this can lead to dire consequences to the overall well-being of society. It can turn into difficult public order situations.

The other aspect to ensure strict hygiene adherence must quickly be incorporated and health checks on all types of premises must be enhanced.

Strict enforcement will act as persuasive guidelines. It will also allow society to get out in a controlled manner, especially those who depend on daily wage to survive.

Daily moderate exercise is recommended for better quality of life in most scientific studies. Exercise with social distancing can be worked out as we gradually move into an exit strategy with a “soft landing”.

We have to be bold and trust the majority of society to comply and in doing so, we will also be ahead of the global curve in sustaining a gradual, healthy recovery.

The law, however, must still be in place to firmly deal with recalcitrant violators.

We also need to empathise that there are many old couples living together and basically do not have much help in getting around for their basic needs, including mobility for their medical requirements.

This has to be incorporated into the MCO, especially when we are unsure as to how long this situation will go on.

Normally independent old couples move in a symbiotic manner, complementing each other according to their physical abilities, including the prevalence of those who only can drive. It is imperative to factor these segments of society into the regulations coined.

We are in uncharted waters and we need to stay the course set by those in authority to support all the frontline workers who are risking their lives in this war against the pandemic.

Balancing a long-term or at least for the medium-term, a socio-economic strategy coupled with the ongoing battles will create a stronger outcome and better resilience, in picking up from where we left off prior to this crisis.

This will help to weather the expected socio-economic storm ahead that will be the next complicated and difficult battle for us and the global community as a whole.

Failing to read the basic needs of a society with the compulsory instinctive need to move freely can escalate into unnecessary problems with law and order.

This will become a major problem if and when poverty coupled with the inability to sustain enough income to survive, surpasses the fear of the virus. – April 25, 2020.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.