Six unanswered questions on Monday's resumption of economic, social activities

CORONAVIRUS | Unanswered questions linger following Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement that the majority of businesses and social activities are allowed to resume on Monday next week in what he now calls conditional movement control order (MCO).

While subsequent released of the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the NSC helped fill in the blanks as to some aspects of the conditional MCO - such as the list of businesses and activities not permitted to resume and business operation hours - some matters remain unclear, including what other regulations from the current MCO remain in effect.

Malaysiakini has listed several such questions after perusing through the voluminous FAQ on the matter issued by the National Security Council (NSC):

1. Is the 10km radius limit for a person from a household to travel to buy food and other necessities still in effect? And is it only limited to a maximum of two people from the same household in the same vehicle when travelling together to do these necessary errands?

2. Are the roadblocks manned by police and the armed forces going to be scaled down or maintained during this loosening of restrictions of the conditional MCO?

3. Are the authorities prepared for the increase in traffic on the roads following the resumption of the majority of economic activities on Monday, as well as an increased risk of Covid-19 spreading due to many vehicles being clustered together in traffic?

4. Are members of the public generally still limited to only being allowed to go out for pressing matters between 8am and 10pm daily?

5. If many economic sectors are reopening, what about parliament? Will parliament convene more than a day? If not, what makes parliament an exception?

6. Are the various courts nationwide allowed to resume full operations on Monday?

Earlier today, Muhyiddin announced the reopening of the majority of businesses and social activities from May 4, as the country looks to revitalise the economy after over a month under a partial shutdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 outbreak.

However, the conditional MCO does not include businesses, operations, or any activities and events that would entail large gatherings, body contact and inability to maintain social distancing.

In a live address for Labour Day, the prime minister said the permission to reopen activities were based on strict rules and regulations, as well as SOPs. - Mkini