Malaysia has just moved from the Movement Control Order (MCO) which impose a strick restriction on movement of the public and only essential services are allowed to open, to the the Conditional MCO (CMCO) where the public have been given more freedom to move around and most businesses are allowed to open.

Some medical experts feared that with the sudden opening up there may be new clusters of infection. In an article published in the News Straits Times, four medical experts provide their analysis of the situation. Here are some of their answers.

“If this keeps up, Malaysia can be a showcase to the world that we are a disciplined population, and that we have not abused the trust of the government.”
Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit

“The success of controlling Covid-19 during this CMCO depends on societal and community behaviour, which could be different during the CMCO and when the MCO is totally lifted.”
University Malaya Public Health Medicine Specialist Associate Professor Dr Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine

“Malaysians seem prepared for a new norm. But there are still communities with a Third World mentality and attitude. We have to change this.”
Malaysian Public Health Medicine Specialist Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar

“Guidelines and government orders have to be clear from the onset, realistic and achievable. There should not be flip-flop decisions from different government agencies.”
Professor Dr G. Jayakumar, Professor of Community and Occupational Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine in Melaka Manipal Medical College

Prof Dr Jayakumar also reminded us that the objective of MCO is not to bring down the cases to zero. It is meant to flatten the epidemic curve to ensure health systems are protected and able to cope till a vaccine is developed. Covid-19 is unlikely to end for the next 18 to 24 months.