Curb Covid-19 with targeted SOPs, not lockdowns, say PH MPs

 

Five opposition MPs say even essential services can be hotbeds of virus infections.

PETALING JAYA: Opposition MPs are urging Putrajaya to curb workplace Covid-19 transmissions with targeted SOPs, calling it an important precursor to reopening the economy.

Five MPs and four party members said it was time to move past the arbitrary terms of “essential” and “non-essential” sectors as even essential services can be hotbeds of virus infections.

“Instead, adopt a more scientific assessment in accordance with the risk of transmission,” they said in a joint statement.

They said the government should reopen sectors with low transmission incidence with proper SOPs.

The five MPs – Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya),  Dzulkefly Ahmad (Amanah-Kuala Selangor), Wong Chen (PKR-Subang), Tan Yee Kew (PKR- Wangsa Maju) and Noor Amin Ahmad (PKR- Kangar) – said investor groups have also urged the government to reassess SOPs that have not only disrupted operations but also failed to control virus transmissions.

They said the call came from the Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry Malaysia, the Malaysian Dutch Business Council and the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce.

“Therefore, it is pointless for the minister of international trade and industry, Azmin Ali, to embark on trade visits overseas if he and the entire PN (Perikatan Nasional) administration do not immediately address these fundamental issues which could potentially drive away existing investors,” they warned.

The MPs also called for SOPs to focus on improving indoor and outdoor air quality and ventilation with adequate social distancing and crowd control measures.

They urged the government to invest at least RM15 billion in economic grants and soft loans, matched with appropriate tax incentives to safeguard workplaces, factories and to improve workers’ quarters.

They also called for mandatory periodic subsidised testing at workplaces to curb potential outbreaks.

“We should learn by now that Covid-19 will not be resolved with simplistic lockdowns. That’s akin to using a sledgehammer to kill a fly,” they said. - FMT