The question arises: What will happen to the workers, come Wednesday?
The two-week movement control order announced by the government last night to reduce the spread of Covid-19 has raised questions as to how this would impact the workforce.
The order, which is to take effect tomorrow, will see all non-essential government and private venues shut down, meaning most offices will be closed.
“What happens to the income of traders and the salaries of workers, will it be covered by the government?” former finance minister Lim Guan Eng asked on Facebook last night.
Some workers in the private sector that Malaysiakini spoke to last night said their companies have instructed them to work from home.
But not all jobs allow for such flexibility.
Already, the spread of Covid-19 has taken a toll on tourism and airline workers, with many forced to go on unpaid leave.
The government said it would pay RM600 per month for six months to those on unpaid leave earning less than RM4,000 per month.
However, when this was announced, the government only budgeted RM120 million for this to cover about 33,000 workers.
It is not clear whether the government will expand this package to those affected by the movement control order, or if that would be financially feasible.
Former women and family development minister Hannah Yeoh (above) also expressed to Malaysiakini concerns about how the movement control order would impact those who earn a daily wage.
Besides shutting down non-essential offices, the movement control order also prohibits Malaysians from leaving the country.
This order could significantly impact Malaysians who work in Singapore. Lim estimates that these people make up 300,000 workers.
Johor’s Parit Yaani assemblyperson Aminolhuda Hassan said the government needs to give a detailed explanation on this.
“Has the government discussed this with the Singapore authorities?” he asked when contacted.
Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad told Malaysiakini that he will be discussing this to find the best solution for Johoreans.
Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing (above) said affected businesses may have to activate their backup business continuity plans.
“Businesses that employ Malaysian workers who commute between Singapore and Malaysia daily may have to activate their business continuity plans.
“If they need assistance, they should contact our economic agencies who stand ready to assist,” Chan said in a Facebook post last night.
He added that Singapore will be in touch with Putrajaya and that their priority was to ensure that Singaporeans and businesses can continue with their lives and livelihoods.
The National Security Council is expected to answer many of these questions later today and will have a hotline active, starting at 12pm.
The movement control order is effective from tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, to March 31.
This comes after Covid-19 cases in the country began to spike, with 553 cases reported yesterday.
The essential services that will continue to operate during the control order are water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal services, transport, maritime, fuel, gas, lubricants, broadcast, financial services, banking, healthcare, pharmacies, fire and rescue, prisons, ports, airports, security, defence, cleaning and supplying of food.
Mydin boss calls for calm, assures adequate supply of essential goods
The boss of hypermarket chain Mydin has called for calm, amid a wave of panic buying in the country.
Mydin managing director Ameer Ali Mydin (photo, above) assured that there would be enough supply of essential goods.
“Let’s not do panic buying, our suppliers have assured us there is an adequate supply of essentials to meet our requirements, let’s be considerate.
“We are all in this together, and we will come out of this stronger only if we work together as Malaysians. We can do it, we have the ‘Malaysia Boleh’ spirit, stay calm, have hope,” he said on Instagram yesterday
He had posted a photo of a Mydin store which he said was fully packed since morning.
There had been a surge of panic buying since yesterday amid fears that the government would issue a lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.
However, grocers will remain open and are not affected by the two-week partial shutdown ordered by the government that will take effect tomorrow.
Health experts have also warned against panic buying, as the crowds can lead to a risk of Covid-19 infections.
Meanwhile, Ameer Ali said that senior citizens and disabled people can access Mydin stores half-an-hour earlier, at 7.30am, starting tomorrow.
“(This is) exclusively for senior citizens and the disabled.
“We know they are the most vulnerable during these difficult times so let’s give them the time and space to shop, we will also open a dedicated cashier counter for them,” he said.
Covid-19: Don’t balik kampung, don’t go on holiday, don’t panic buy, say experts
Going back to your hometown or on a local holiday in the next two weeks will defeat the purpose of the movement control order, which is meant to limit the spread of Covid-19, experts said.
Infectious diseases expert Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman (above) said the people should stay where they are.
“No, the answer is no. Stay put wherever you are. The whole idea of this restricted movement order is to restrict movement, to minimise human contact that can spread the virus,” she tweeted last night.
Adeeba, who is also Universiti Malaya Dean of Medicine, was elaborating on what she had told Astro Awani when asked whether people should balik kampung.
The movement control order takes effect Wednesday until March 31. It involves the closure of schools and higher learning institutions.
Non-essential public and private premises will also be closed, meaning many people may not be able to work.
Retired doctor Amar Singh HSS said the people should not take this as an opportunity to go on holiday either.
He added that people should not engage in panic buying as there is a high risk of infection.
“This is dangerous. (It) helps spread the coronavirus. Stop panic buying,” Amar Singh tweeted.
Panic buying can result in large groups of people being in close proximity.
The government and health experts have urged people not to attend gatherings of more than 50 people.
The Health Ministry has advised people to stay at least two metres away from one another.
Many health experts, including Adeeba and former health minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, have also urged people to stay at home unless there is an essential need to go out, such as to do essential work or to seek medical treatment.
MKINI
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