WHEN I went out for urgent matters this morning, I was surprised to see many cars on the road and full carparks outside of shoplots even though Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal recently announced that the state would not have the conditional movement control order (CMCO) implemented.

I understand the struggles of ordinary citizens, particularly small business owners and daily wage workers but are we ready to face this new normal?

Are Malaysians as disciplined as the Germans, South Koreans, Hong Kongers, Taiwanese and Swedes?

Germany is a country with lockdown measures where lots of testing are being done and remote consultation is provided for those asymptomatic or with minor symptoms.

The doctors only need to track the asymptomatic and those with minor symptoms via a digital health application. The asymptomatic and those with minor symptoms can be in quarantine at home without going to hospital for treatment.

South Korea has not implemented a lockdown but similarly conducted lots of testing and surveillance technology (i.e. mobile application to monitor body temperature and location) is being used to track the suspected Covid-19 cases.

Due to its experience with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 17 years ago, Hong Kong is relatively cautious despite no lockdown in place.

Hong Kongers would wear masks when going out, adopting early measures by closing schools and government offices by the end of January. It also pressured the private sector to work from home.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has no lockdown and did not receive assistance from international organisations such as the World Health Organisation or the United Nations to combat Covid-19. Sweden is also a country without lockdown measures.

South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Sweden allow restaurants and businesses to remain open. However, their citizens are serious about social distancing and hygiene, with the elderly isolated, and families mostly staying home.

However, due our diverse ethnic groups, undocumented citizens and refugees in Malaysia, I think is still challenging for Malaysia to have CMCO or even the new normal, especially with Raya celebration around the corner.

I noticed that there was no social distancing signage being put up by some banks.

It’s normal to have longer queues yesterday but I think the banks are responsible to indicate where to stand.

Although hand sanitisers are provided and temperatures are taken, the public are still standing too close together.

It’s quite worrying and I think it might be a good idea to have enforcement officers from Rela, police or voluntary bodies to assist the public as currently banks are understaffed by at least 70%.

I only saw a handful of officers working at the bank. It’s even more challenging when banks shortened their working hours. Initially, banks operate from 9.15am to 4.30pm but now they close by 2pm.

In order to have effective CMCO implemented in the state and across the country, Malaysia should consider implementing Singapore’s model of “odd/even number system” to restrict public’s entry to certain hotspots such as wet markets, banks and supermarkets.

The system is based on personal identification numbers and dates. Those with odd last digit may visit hotspots on odd dates of the month. Such restriction would help to reduce the crowd while providing safe spaces for the public to buy daily necessities or get essential services.

While there is room for improvement in Malaysia, most of the public are wearing face masks.

To not repeat Singapore’s mistakes, we should have more testing done particularly among underprivileged communities and refugees.

If restaurant owners choose to open for dine in, strict social distancing measures are required. They can put up signage and separation boards to ensure the public are sitting at least 2m apart.

Malaysians need to have the self-discipline to adhere to social distancing, good personal hygiene and putting on face masks.

If Malaysians are as disciplined as the Germans, South Koreans, Hong Kongers, Taiwanese and Swedes, we will be able to defeat Covid-19 soon. – May 5, 2020.

* Amanda Yeo Yan Yin is private secretary to Sabah’s Youth and Sports minister.

* 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.