Sectors Reopening Because Of Economy, Not Because Its Safe, Says Health DG

The DG advise everyone to get vaccinated and follow SOP.

Credit: Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail

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Caretaker Prime Minister Tan Sri Mahiaddin Md Yasin recently announced a few SOP relaxations that’ll be given to people who’ve completed their Covid-19 vaccinations, which include:

Allowing dine-ins for states under Phase 1 (and above) of the national Covid-19 recovery plan (PPN).
Allowing non-group, zero-physical contact, outdoor sports and recreational activities to take place.
Allowing night and weekly markets to open for business.

So is this good or bad news? Depends on how you ask…

While there were those who welcome the idea of regaining some of their long lost freedoms, others aren’t too keen on the plan because of the lingering threat of the pandemic.

Keep in mind, we HAVE to do this.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah confessed on social media that the reason for the SOP relaxations and subsequently the reopening of the economy was for that exact reason. The economy.

The DG implied that things aren’t exactly safe yet and advised everyone to get themselves vaccinated and follow ‘new normal’ SOPs.

A reminder to all, many places are opening because of economy & not because it is safe. Please keep that in mind; please wear a mask, double masks if possible, practice physical distancing & frequent hand washing. Avoid crowded & confined spaces. Stay safe & get vaccinated asap.
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) August 19, 2021

He also explained that countries like Israel faced a resurgence in Covid-19 cases despite achieving herd immunity, and it was important for us to be careful.

We need to adopt two approaches; one is the vaccination and the other is to continue to take all the public health precautionary measures. Israel succeeded to achieve herd immunity very early and later eased the restriction and sop. Today cases are soaring again
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) August 19, 2021