Call to shut down economy as cases still rising under MCO 2.0

 

A tour van association is calling for tougher restrictions during the second movement control order (MCO 2.0) despite already suffering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This was because the MCO 2.0, which still allows several economic sectors to continue operating, does not appear to be effective in bringing the pandemic under control, said Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Tour Van Drivers Association chairperson Simon Sim.

"Only a shutdown of economic activities, as it was done during MCO 1.0, will succeed in breaking the chain of infections," he said in a statement today.

The standard operating procedure (SOP) during MCO 2.0, he said, was not strict enough and people are not taking the SOP seriously.

Sim added that he understood that the government has economic consideration and he too has had to sell two vehicles to ensure the sustainability of his business.

However, he said the lives of the people must take precedence.

Sim's call came amid speculations that the government may shut down more economic sectors if the pandemic situation does not improve when MCO 2.0 expires on Feb 4.

A leaked letter by the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham Malaysia) revealed that Putrajaya is set to announce a total economic shutdown after Feb 4, should the number of Covid-19 cases in the country keep rising.

Malaysiakini spoke to a Eurocham source who confirmed the authenticity of the letter but said that it was intended for the internal consumption of its members only.

As of yesterday, 667 people in the country have died from Covid-19. The daily new cases yesterday also hit a record high of 4,275 infections. - Mkini