Nipah virus scientist says conditional MCO too much too soon

CORONAVIRUS | The scientist who played a key role in discovering the Nipah virus says the conditional movement control order (MCO) is too much too soon.

“No one is objecting to the loosening of MCO, but the relaxation is far too much and too soon,” said emeritus professor Lam Sai Kit in a statement today.

The statement was published by the Science Media Centre Malaysia.

Lam cited the number of new infections rising to triple digits as one cause of concern, saying the number of cases had not gone down sufficiently yet.

The conditional MCO was announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday, and will allow most businesses including restaurants to open tomorrow, subject to social distancing measures.

However, six states will not be implementing the conditional MCO tomorrow, with some saying they needed time to discuss guidelines first.

Meanwhile, Lam also questioned whether Malaysia's testing capacity was ready to face the likelihood of a surge of a new cluster of cases once the MCO is relaxed.

He said a resurgence of cases would also likely result in the control order being reinstated, which would be a waste of efforts put in by the government, frontliners, and the public.

Lam said he had also signed an online petition calling for the conditional MCO to be rescinded. 

“I added my signature to this petition out of concern for public safety and the risk and fear of a resurgence. For the conditional MCO to be successful, it has to be well-planned and not rushed.

"I am well aware of the economic cost involved in the implementation of MCO which has already resulted in a total loss estimated at RM63 billion since the implementation of MCO.

"However, we need a better exit plan than conditional MCO, with the phased opening of sectors or businesses and with emphasis on safety rather than a fast economic recovery," he said.

The petition which started on Friday, has gained almost 460,000 signatures as of writing.

Lam urged the government to heed the concerns expressed by the people and various sectors.

He also urged the public to continue practicing the MCO as is for now and that businesses which are not ready to operate yet to defer their re-opening.

Lam, who is an infectious diseases expert, is best known for his role in discovering the Nipah virus in the late 1990s, and was instrumental in developing rapid diagnostic techniques to detect dengue. - Mkini