HEALTH experts questioned Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to loosen Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) by allowing fully vaccinated individuals to dine in at cafes and restaurants.

They said while they understand the need to help the economy, they felt the decision is too hasty given that the Covid-19 numbers are still high.

Selangor Covid-19 Task Force chairman Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the caretaker prime minister should not have been hasty in loosening the SOP.

“I must say it is taken with mixed feelings. The technocrat and the interim political leaders do not see to communicate well,” Dzulkefly said.

“I am a bit reluctant with the idea although I understand the need to lift the economy.

“We should not be in a haste as we will be there (better situation) anyway. We are now seeing signs of improvement, hospital ICUs (intensive care units) are coming down, this is a good sign so there is no need to rush.”

The former health minister was commenting on Muhyiddin’s announcement on Thursday that fully vaccinated individuals nationwide, including states in phase 1 of the national recovery plan, are allowed to dine in at food outlets.

The former prime minister also announced that fully vaccinated parents can also bring their unvaccinated under-17 children to dine in at cafes and restaurants.

These relaxations were announced on a day when Malaysia reported a record high of 22,948 new Covid-19 cases, with both Selangor and Kuala Lumpur – two of the states in phase 1 – jointly recording 8,614 cases.

The numbers further increased yesterday when Malaysia logged 23,564 cases, its highest in a single day.

Selangor has continuously topped the daily tally with cases hitting more than 6,000 per day.

Dzulkefly, who is also the Kuala Selangor MP, hoped the public will ensure and observe self-discipline and to keep in mind the ever-present danger of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has a higher infection rate.

“Double-mask, keep your distance, observe strict SOP. Be very wary. The numbers are raging in five to six states with new cases. Our focus must still be on the immunisation programme,” the Amanah lawmaker said.

Dzulkefly’s former deputy, Dr Lee Boon Chye said dine-ins can only be considered in the Klang Valley as 76% of the adult population have been vaccinated.

“Outside of Klang Valley, the adult vaccination rate is less than 50%. So dine-in in these areas is not advisable. If vaccination rate is low, the unvaccinated will be exposed to risk,” Lee said.

Paediatric specialist Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, however, said loosening restrictions now is a bad idea.

“Only those with full immunisation should be allowed in and dine-in and that too, should be outdoors. Kids without vaccines should not be allowed in,” he said.

Musa, who has been vocal about the government’s handling of the epidemic, said instead of allowing unvaccinated children into restaurants, the interim government could have allowed public parks to open.

“The left hand in the government does not know what the right hand is doing, so it seems.

“Dine-in should not be allowed especially for unvaccinated children. I suggest dine-in should be outdoors, in an open space instead of indoors.

“What should be opened are theme parks, public parks or zoos. The risk of outdoor transmission of Covid-19 is 18 times less than indoor activities. With good airflow, there is less chance of getting infected,” Musa said. – August 21, 2021.