THE Covid-19 infectivity rate can still be lowered even though the third movement-control order (MCO 3.0) is less strict than the first lockdown last year, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

The National Security Council spokesman said the government needed to balance lives and livelihoods as introducing a full MCO would hurt the poor and the economy further.

“In the first MCO, the drop (in Covid-19 cases) was much faster but our economy took a bad hit. 

“We can still bring down the number with a less strict MCO, just like the MCO 2.0.

“We only need to follow the standard operating procedure, wear masks and practice social distancing, and we can reduce the number again,” he said at a joint press conference with director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today.

MCO 3.0 takes effect from tomorrow until June 7. Parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have already been under the MCO since May 6 and 7, respectively.

Ismail said MCO 3.0 was less strict as Putrajaya did not want to burden the lower-income earners with a total lockdown. 

As such, almost all economic activities are allowed to operate, with SOP in place, under MCO 3.0.

“When we imposed MCO 1.0 many were unhappy, when we imposed MCO 3.0 many are still unhappy. We cannot please everyone.

“The reason why MCO 3.0 is less strict than the first MCO is because the lower-income earners have been the most affected group. The country also lost RM2.4 billion a day during MCO 1.0.”

“That is why we allow certain economy sector to operate this time as well as we allow certain outdoor activities. Imagine living in a low-cost apartment. A small family living in the house and is not allowed to leave home.

“We want the people to have balance. To stay healthy as well as to have life. The government does not want to burden the people.”

The first MCO was introduced in March 2020 when positive cases were still under control.

The order was implemented for nearly three months before the government introduced the conditional MCO and further relaxed restrictions under subsequent movement curbs.

New cases daily have been trending above 3,000 and 4,000 for a few weeks, ahead of the nationwide MCO tomorrow.

Restrictions are still in place against interstate and inter-district travel, sports and social gatherings, dine-ins at eateries are banned, while schools and education institutions are closed under MCO 3.0.

However, outdoor exercise and recreational activities such as jogging, and cycling are allowed as long as people maintain social distancing. – May 11, 2021.