‘RMCO helps ease people back to normalcy after months of restrictions due to Covid-19’
SIBU: Many townsfolk here regard the current Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period as easing them back to normalcy after months of observing strict restrictions, meant to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infection.
However, they also realised that despite the relaxation of a number of directives and the reopening of most socioeconomic sectors, they are still required to fully comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) and adapt to the ‘new norm’ to avoid the second wave of the coronavirus from emerging.
For Gerald Harry, the RMCO has brought relief to him and his family.
“It’s unlike during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) periods, where our movements were being closely monitored by the authorities.
“Many of us had to stay at home.
“Now, it feels much better that we’re able to move around. Still, we must never let our guard down; it’s crucial that we always comply with the SOP,” said the self-employed 48-year-old, who hails from Pasai Siong.
For Salman Dahri, the prolonged MCO period had been very challenging from him, adding that the experience was one that he ‘never imagined of going through’.
“I really had to adapt myself to such life – it had been very challenging since day 1 of the MCO, on March 18.
“So you could imagine my great relief in hearing the announcement by our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin about the CMCO ending on June 9, and being replaced with the more-relaxed RMCO the next day (June 10),” said the private sector employee.
For the record, the RMCO period runs until this Aug 31.
On the key requirement to follow the SOP, Salman remarked: “I do not mind adhering to SOPs, since we have been getting used to the situation, which does not hit only Malaysia, but many other countries as well
“I believe that people in many parts of the world that are affected by Covid-19, are practising the SOPs set by their respective governments.”