By Mimy
picture: KLOOK
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced to implement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in six states - Selangor, Penang, Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya), Johor, Melaka, and Sabah from Jan 13 until Jan 26.
Another six states - Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan - would be placed under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) while in Perlis and Sarawak the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) would be enforced for the same period.
Muhyiddin said COVID-19 cases had shown a very worrying trend of increase and a firm approach I needed to break the chain of infection to bring daily positive cases to a level that can be controlled and managed more effectively.
"Based on risk assessments done by the Health Ministry (MOH), National Security Council (MKN) and other ministries and agencies as well as the advice of public health experts in the country, the government agrees that firm action needs to be taken to break the COVID-19 chain of infection," Muhyiddin said.
He also said that the government heard the laments and suggestions of the people who were very concerned over the surge in COVID-19. Besides the burden faced by frontliner and the fact that national public health is under increasing pressure.
I think it was necessary to have this MCO because of the rising number of cases that we have day by day and yesterday itself it's more than 3,000. So, we have to put a stop and flatten the curve by implementing this MCO just what we had before during the first MCO which is a huge success. Other than that, I think the public needs to be more aware of what was happening here. Just because the virus did not infect them and the people around them, it doesn't mean that you were safe from it. For me, the implementation of the MCO was a "wake-up call". - Farihah Mazmi, 33
I agree with the decision made or taken by the government. For me, safety or health issues are more important. Life has no substitute but it is undeniable that this decision has also give a negative impact on certain groups in the communities. Therefore, the society must together comply with the SOP within the 2 weeks set so that this MCO is not extended any longer. We need to understand that every decision has its pros and cons. I hope everyone perseveres and be patient to face this difficult time. - Azuwanne Abdul Amit, 25
"MOH facilities can no longer cope with the spike of up to 2,000 new cases daily. Our healthcare system is at a breaking point. 15 COVID-19 hospitals had recorded COVID-19 bed usage (non ICU) exceeding 70 percent while in the Klang Valley, the ICU bed usage at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Universiti Malaya Medical Centre had reached 100 percent," Muhyiddin said.
Meanwhile, in Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Terengganu, and Sarawak, the ICU bed usage rate for COVID-19 patients has exceeded 70 percent.
More than 1,450 medical personnel in hospitals throughout the country had been infected or had to undergo quarantine and thus could not be on duty.
The prime minister said the flood disaster and surge in cases in several states have made it difficult to mobilise personnel within a state and between states. This has complicated efforts to increase the number of ICU beds for critical patients.
"The sudden spike in the number of patients would be easily cripple the health system, rendering it incapable of catering to patients who need treatment and causing the death toll to rise further," he said.
- BERNAMA
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