Nearly everyone wants tighter restrictions in Klang Valley - NSC poll

 

Nearly all respondents in a poll by the National Security Council (NSC) supported tighter restrictions on social activities in the Klang Valley.

The poll was sent out through the NSC’s official Telegram channel last night, which has more than 1.2 million subscribers. Telegram is a messaging app.

The poll asked respondents if they agree with the statement, “Conditional movement control order SOPs in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya on social activities need to be tightened”.

By the time polling closed, more than 169,000 votes were cast.

Of these, 91 percent supported the statement, while the remaining nine percent dissented.

The conditional MCO in the Klang Valley was imposed beginning Oct 14, and is slated to end on Oct 27.

The restrictions were imposed in response to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the region since late-September, following the return of travellers from Sabah.

Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said whether the conditional MCO would be extended beyond next week depends on the Covid-19 infectivity in the region.

Earlier today, he said the disease’s reproduction number (Rt) in Selangor is 1.4, compared to 1.3 in Sabah and 0.7 in Kedah.

For the record, the World Health Organisation guidelines stipulate that a Covid-19 outbreak is considered under control if the Rt remains below 1.0 for at least two weeks. The guidelines also suggested other indicators that may be used but considered Rt to be the best option.

Currently, people in the Klang Valley are allowed to work, but cross-district and interstate travel is forbidden apart from certain circumstances.

Dining in restaurants is allowed but limited to two persons per table, and sports activities that involve physical contact are banned.

Entertainment facilities are not allowed to open and wedding ceremonies are not allowed. Places of worship are closed to the public, but they may be assigned up to six people to perform necessary prayers or ceremonies.

Beginning tomorrow, certain workers in industries under the International Trade and Industry Ministry and civil servants under the Public Service Department, who are in areas under conditional MCO, are also required to work from home.

The order affects workers in management and supervisory roles. - Mkini