Commentary by Mustafa K Anuar

COME July 1, the recovery movement control order (RMCO) will see the reopening of activities and locations, such as cinemas, theatres, swimming pools, meetings, conferences, seminars, courses and training sessions, involving concentration of people. 

This is largely aimed to help resuscitate the soft economy that has been badly hit by the pandemic since the MCO was enforced.

However, as cautioned by the government, the standard operating procedures (SOP) must be strictly adhered to so as to ensure that the Covid-19 pandemic is effectively contained.

A grave problem may arise if the new normal morphs over time into normalcy to the extent that many Malaysians may become careless or lackadaisical, particularly regarding social distancing.

And if we need reminding, the virus infection may not necessarily originate from foreigners as many Malaysians tend to suspect.

The recent Pedas cluster, for example, shows that it started among Malaysian workers and later spread to their foreign peers. 

As it is, some malls, for example, are slowly attracting sizeable crowds, while public transport is allowed a full capacity load. Human contact becomes a concern here.

Cinemas, among other popular establishments, are ready to admit their patrons who’ve been dying to watch much delayed and talked-about releases, such as James Bond’s thriller with a telling title, No Time To Die.

Activities involving cinemas, theatres and other “live events” cannot exceed a capacity of 250 attendees so social distancing can be enforced, and is subject to the venue’s capacity, says the government.

Strict adherence to the SOP is vital in the fight against the epidemic, especially when the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued recently a warning of “a new and dangerous phase” of the pandemic caused by public’s complacency towards staying at home and restricting movement. 

Countries that have succeeded in containing the coronavirus are experiencing an increase in cases owing to religious or leisure gatherings or in close quarters ever since the restrictions have been relaxed.

South Korea, for instance, has recorded a second wave of infections around Seoul, which is a cause for concern.

This is perhaps the underlying reason the current Malaysian government appears to have trepidation about holding parliamentary sessions in recent times even though the much-needed meeting seat less than 250 people as stipulated.

There are 222 parliamentarians in total.

Surely, exposing our lawmakers to the risk of lethal virus infection is unconscionable as it will have far-reaching repercussions on our treasured parliamentary democracy and accountability.

Besides, we cannot afford to have a second wave that will unleash untold miseries to many Malaysians, particularly the vulnerable in society that may not have the wherewithal to combat the virus, as well as economic resilience.

Another round of the coronavirus will also wreak havoc to the already battered economy.

Frontliners will be subjected again to health risks, stress and fatigue.

More people will be laid off from their jobs, with the breadwinners not having enough or not at all to put food on the table.

As it is, single mums, for instance, are finding it difficult to provide for their children amid the pandemic and MCO, especially for those who are self-employed or running small businesses.

Many of them, as reported by The Malaysian Insight recently, are in dire straits and have had to depend on government assistance and handouts from volunteer groups to survive.

Their economic conditions have become so unbearable that many have experienced mental agony. It can also be a nagging stress on the children.

Given the gravity of the situation, it is not an option to be vigilant about adhering to the SOP during the RMCO phase.

It is a must if we are to survive in these murky times. – June 24, 2020.