By Mei Kuan
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in his televised address today (February 4) reminded all to take care of one another in order to help break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
He highlighted that the Movement Control Order, which was implemented from January 13 and then extended to more states from January 22 with tightened SOPs, has produced positive results in a few states namely Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu and Pahang. However, an increase in cases still occurs especially in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor due to its high population and vibrant economic and industrial activities.
According to him, implementation of a total lockdown with closure of most of the economic sectors would impact the nation’s economy and its people negatively.
To balance saving lives and protecting livelihoods in the current pandemic situation, he explained, “The ideal method now is to allow essential economic sectors to continue operation and at the same time implement tight SOPs to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission which is already present at our workplace, residential area and community.”
“I urge the industry and the public to comply strictly with the SOPs imposed by the government. The government listens to your views by not shutting down the economy during the Movement Control Order period. So, please reciprocate this gesture by complying strictly with the SOPs so that we can ensure business and trade will continue to operate while at the same time help break the chain of COVID-19 transmissions at the workplace and in the community,” he stated.
Regarding the national COVID-19 immunisation programme, he announced that the roll-out implementation will begin at the end of this month where 80% of the nation’s population or 26.5 million individuals are targeted to receive the vaccine free-of-charge. The first delivery of vaccines are produced by Pfizer and BioNTech which have displayed a high efficiency rate at 95%.
The first phase involves 500,000 frontliners and is scheduled to end by April. The second phase comprises high risk groups like the elderly, the vulnerable and differently abled. A total of 9.4 million individuals are expected to receive the vaccine under the second phase set to begin from April to August.
Meanwhile, the third phase involves adults of age 18 and above, to begin May till February 2022.
“We are all in this together, and only together can we win. Protect ourselves and everyone,” he reminded.
Further information on the national COVID-19 immunisation programme will be released in the near future.
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