KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to appoint 10,000 special recruits to beef up contact tracing efforts, instead of opting for the imposition of another Movement Control Order (MCO).
Former Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said the special recruits have to be hired as soon as possible to reinforce the Health Ministry's Public Health Division.
"Actually, a widespread MCO can be avoided by instituting a Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) in affected areas by mass screening and testing and isolating those with contacts for 48 hours."
He said a national network of contact tracers has to be set up immediately, with the help of community leaders.
Dr Lee said the special recruits can be trained by Public Health officers to ensure that contacts adhere to quarantine regulations and follow SOPs. They can also help in mass testing and the like.
The Gopeng MP said they can be hired from a pool of unemployed graduates who lost their jobs when the pandemic hit.
He added that it would take RM300 million a year to pay them at a salary of RM2,500, and the cost is significantly lower compared to opting for a total lockdown.
"I appeal to the Prime Minister to issue this directive when he makes his special announcement on Monday."
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to make an announcement on the possible reintroduction of the Movement Control Order (MCO) this Monday.
On Thursday, the Health Ministry warned that daily Covid-19 cases could hit 8,000 by mid-March if the basic reproduction number (R-nought or R0) of the virus increases to 1.2.
Malaysia on Thursday reported 3,027 new cases – a record high in daily infections just a day after logging 2,525 cases. - NST
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