‘EMBRACE THE NEW NORMAL AS PERMANENT CULTURE’
Lam Thye: Continue observing SOP to ensure Covid-19 curve stays flattened
THE Alliance for Safe Community yesterday called on the public to adopt the new normal as a commitment to keep the country’s Covid-19 curve permanently flattened.
Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said with the reopening of various sectors and the return to near-normalcy after the Movement Control Order (MCO) was first imposed on March 18, the public must adopt and embrace it as a permanent culture.
“All Malaysians can now breathe a collective sigh of relief, thanks largely to their efforts and civic-mindedness, and to the superb leadership of the Health Ministry and Home Ministry. Of course, there is a caveat. The standard operating procedures (SOP) are still in place and they must be strictly followed.”
Lee said there were concerns that not all establishments enforced social distancing rules and that not all Malaysians wore face masks in crowded places or practised social distancing.
“With the palpable relief over the relaxation of the rules, it is evident that Malaysians are frequenting restaurants and other eating places in droves, even until late at night.
“This is a welcome sign, but it has been observed that quite a number are not fully observing the SOP. Many of them have discarded their face masks and do not adequately sanitise their hands.
“Owners of these establishments must ensure that all SOP are strictly followed, even if it means that the return to businesses, as before the MCO, will take a little longer.
“The new normal is not a temporary feature. Don’t forget, Covid-19 is still with us.”
Lee added that it could take up to six months to a year, if reports were true, for a vaccine to be available.
“Even after a vaccine is found, hygiene is paramount. Who knows where the next virus may be lurking.”
Lee said epidemics and pandemics had lasted for extended periods of time before vaccines were found or the viruses eradicated. He cited as examples the swine flu pandemic that lasted for a year, the Chikungunya outbreak for two years, and the Avian flu for six years.
“Over the last 20 years, there have been 70 virus epidemics or pandemics, the worst probably being the swine flu of 2009 which claimed half a million lives, as Covid-19 has claimed in less than six months.
“We don’t know when a new virus will emerge, but when it does, will we be ready to fight it and can we be sure that it will pass us by? There is a chance if we take all the necessary precautions from now.”
Starting yesterday, more economic sectors, including tourism sub-sectors, resumed operations.