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KUALA LUMPUR – Some workers cautiously returned to their offices, corridors took to the streets, and some restaurants welcomed diners again when Malaysia began easing coronavirus checks on Monday (May 4) after nearly seven weeks, as the country tries to revive the declining economy.
But the fear of contracting Covid-19 seemed to be keeping many Malays inside, despite the fact that most companies and shopping malls that have been closed for 47 days under the motion control order (MCO) can now be reopen, provided that social distancing and contact location measures are established. are attached to
Those who ventured out of their homes and used public transportation had their temperatures taken and are reminded that they must comply with physical distance, with a bureaucracy marking the places where travelers are supposed to stand on platforms and inside of the trains.
“There were fewer passengers than we expected,” a spokesperson for public transportation service provider RapidKL told The Straits Times.
Traffic volume in the city increased 30% on Monday compared to Sunday, said Kuala Lumpur chief of traffic and compliance investigation Zulkefly Yahya.
All MCO obstacles in the city were also removed, according to the Bernama news agency.
But despite what the government calls “conditional MCO,” Malaysia’s borders, including Johor land crossings from Singapore, remain closed, except generally for returning citizens, permanent residents, and expatriates.
Malaysia airports only offer limited domestic flights.
Schools remain closed, with large social gatherings and for mass worship still prohibited.
Although people are now allowed to dine in restaurants following health care guidelines, many places have continued to offer takeout and accept online orders only, including the McDonald’s fast food chain.
Workers at three restaurants in the Setiawangsa suburb have told ST they will not accept diners for now.
“Our restaurant serves only takeout food and does not offer in-store food service … We do this to keep our customers and employees healthy,” said a notice at the Al Bidayah Indian restaurant.
Nine of Malaysia’s 13 states have also rejected the federal call to reopen most companies.
The country’s richest state, Selangor, said it will not allow restaurants to offer dinner services.
Sabah’s Prime Minister Shafie Apdal said the state would maintain the existing restrictions, which were originally in effect until next Tuesday (May 12).
“Our decision to maintain the MCO is to control the spread of the virus in the state and protect people,” it said in a statement Sunday.
Penang Prime Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state will only fully reopen the companies on May 13.
In response to the snub of these states, the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Mohamed Azmin Ali, the top cabinet minister after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, said Monday that everyone should “stand together and strengthen our collaboration towards our economic sustainability. , ensuring our livelihoods and people’s well-being. “
“In the event that state governments refuse to cooperate in the implementation of Law 342, which has become a law applicable throughout the country, state governments may face the possibility of legal action from various parties, particularly actors of the industry, “he said in a statement.
Generalized caution may be warranted. While Malaysia shows signs of improvement, with 55 new cases registered on Monday, authorities have warned it will not hesitate to impose blockades in the areas if new groups emerge.
For now, people like enthusiastic jogger Julie Goh, 50, are happy to take the opportunity to run for the first time in over a month.
“I am so grateful to be able to run after 47 days of zero outdoor physical activity,” she said.
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