PUTRAJAYA: With the rising number of Covid-19 cases and deaths, the Health Ministry is urging people to impose a “self-movement control” by limiting their movements as much as possible.
In his daily Covid-19 press updates, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry is highly concerned about the spread of several Variants of Concern (VOC) within the community.
“The ministry is expecting the number of daily Covid-19 cases to surge, like what is happening in other countries.
“This is because VOCs are linked with higher infectivity and fatality rates.
“The ministry is urging the public to enforce a ‘self-movement control’, especially during the movement control order period, in order to break the chain of Covid-19 infection in the country.
“It all begins with ourselves.
“Self-movement control can be done by choosing to stay at home at all times. Do not leave home unless it is for an important matter.
“If you need to go out, adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) at all times.
“Employers are encouraged to allow their staff to work from home and to restrict the number of workers present at the office at any one time, ” said Dr Noor Hisham.
He also suggested several other preventive measures that the public can follow, such as not receiving guests at home and avoiding activities with a risk of big crowds.
Dr Noor Hisham said hospitals and quarantine centres are now choked and nearing full capacity, causing pressure on the country’s health system.
“The people in Malaysia are the important frontliners of the moment, and it is hoped that everyone stays at home if there is no important issue outside.
“We have no other choice, we must look after ourselves!” he said.
On Tuesday (May 18), Malaysia recorded 4,865 new Covid-19 cases and 47 deaths.
The country is under the third MCO, where movement is restricted and sectors such as sports, education and social are closed.
The economic sector, however, remains open.
