PETALING JAYA: As Covid-19 figures surged over the weekend, social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic) says it is the patriotic responsibility of every Malaysian to start a self-imposed lockdown in order to bring down the curve of infection.
The Alliance For Safe Community chairman said the current Covid-19 pandemic situation is at a critical stage at present, as cases are surging past 6,000 a day.
“The time has come for every Malaysian to exercise self-lockdown. If you are patriotic, then lock yourself down for two weeks. Go out only when it’s necessary, such as to the clinics or to get food,” he said.
Lee also advised Malaysians to plan their grocery shopping wisely in order to minimise trips to retail outlets and shopping malls.
“Buy your groceries for a period of two weeks. So, there is no excuse to always go shopping,” he said.
At the same time, Lee said Malaysians should try their best to work from home, and only go to the office for pressing matters.
“A self-lockdown will certainly be an ideal situation to help bring down the curve and also the number of cases because there is less movement.”
Calls to impose a self-lockdown have been echoed by Malaysians on social media, where many have said that the public now has a role to play in bringing down infection figures.
Over the last few days, Covid-19 daily infection figures have surged past 6,000 and deaths have averaged at around 50 per day.
To address the spikes in Covid-19, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that beginning Tuesday (May 25), most shops will be required to operate between 8am to 8pm under stricter rules in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan until June 7.
The new operating hours will apply to businesses such as restaurants, food stalls and food truck operators, food delivery and take-away, sundry shops and convenience stores, malls, pet stores, laundromats, optical wear shops and hair salons.
