Izah Azahari and Fadley Faisal
Since the introduction of movement restriction measures requiring the public to stay at home, the number of COVID-19 cases seemed to have dropped. This suggests that many enjoyed meeting up in large numbers prior to its introduction.
This was Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah’s response to a query on the effectiveness of the movement restriction measures.
He also advised the public to refrain from unnecessary gathering in large crowds and to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Ministry of Health (MoH), which will eventually enable businesses to return to normal.
“Observing the existing movement restrictive measures that start from 10pm, it appears restaurants, shops and other business premises see crowds showing up just before closing time, resulting in cramped schedules and spaces. Hopefully with the stay-at-home directive set to start at midnight in the coming days, these businesses will be able to relax their schedules, so the place will be less packed.
“Hopefully no one will abuse this to go out and party until the late hours. We need the cooperation of all parties, for us to be able to control the outbreak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew also urged employers across all organisations to give consideration to parents (with young children) to work-from home (WFH).
The minister said we are still in the Early Endemic Phase, and in view of the extension, he called on employers to be lenient with parents who are unable to send their young children to daycare, and those whose children are attending virtual classes.
However, such consideration is dependent on the organisation’s operations, the minister said.
