A YEAR on, we are still following similar standard operating procedures (SOP) that don’t make much sense – such as basing opening of businesses by industry instead of risk factor or number of clusters. An example of this would be factories allowed to remain open while car mechanics aren’t allowed to. 

One keeps staff along a production line in an air-conditioned enclosed area for twelve-hour shifts, the other is far less congested for far shorter periods in an open-air area. The rule keeping food outlets from allowing table service is understandable, but perhaps less so, the prohibition against hairstyling. 

To their credit, the government managed to up their vaccination game, hitting over 200,000 shots a day more than a few times. The target for 10% herd immunity is by the end of next month, with half the population targeted by the end of the year. 

The economy may not survive till then, however. 

Businesses are already suffering and save for a few, such as logistics, banking or online shopping, the vast majority of businesses from food to boutiques have suffered from both the pandemic and flip-flop decisions around the pandemic alike. 

As it is, we have thousands that have shuttered, including such big names like Speedy and icons like KL’s Coliseum Café. Many more stand to risk, after six weeks of “full” lockdown the first time around, followed by a month of partial lockdown, then a prolonged period of opening-and-closings and a second full lockdown that’s going into its first month now. 

Some areas, like the Klang district, have been on technical lockdown since August last year, while the whole country has never had full unrestricted movement for the past fifteen months. 

With vaccinations going on full swing and the first few batches of vaccine recipients already past their two-week mark after their second dose, the time is right to re-explore travel and economic activities between vaccinated parties. 

Although this “travel” bubble for tourists failed a few months back, the circumstances were different. There weren’t many vaccinated people then, the implementation was messy and illogical, and the economic necessity for businesses to open were not as dire. 

With 10% of the population achieving herd immunity by the end of next month, that’s three million economically active Malaysians fully capable of interacting and transacting in relative safety.

The waterfall effect of this would be tremendous compared to a blanket opening and closing of businesses, more so for businesses that have been disallowed, the “non-essentials”, and things like arts and entertainment, like cinemas or open mic shows. 

This will help hotels and tourist-related businesses salvage their losses and remain buoyant for a few more months as things get better. 

The science behind this is solid and the statistics makes full sense. Of course, there should be some rules to safeguard the general population.

For starters, the less at risk you are to yourself and others, the more you should be allowed to do. Fully vaccinated people should be allowed to travel together, cross state lines and visit other fully vaccinated people and patronise businesses whose workers have been vaccinated. 

This could also make recreational activities, crucial to good mental health, accessible to at least a small but hopefully fast-growing part of the population. 

Enforcement would also be simpler, instead of being focussed about SOP, people need to enforce the rule between each other, by producing a valid vaccine digital or physical passport, or risk fine. The services allowable to non-vaccinated or semi-vaccinated people could be reduced or subject to the usual or even stricter SOPs. 

Like it or not, the economy is bound to open, and we will be forced to explore travel bubbles when other countries do so.

Whatever international understanding that needs to happen, will be grounded in science, logic and weighed risks, something we should have done all along.

It is better to start now, and gain a head start, some implementation experience and maybe even some economic traction, while maximising the benefits of our vaccination efforts. – June 23, 2021.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.