Covid-19 rules to remain at least until June review

The Health Ministry will retain the existing rules for controlling the Covid-19 pandemic at least until it is up for review next month.

Its minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa (above) said the review is expected to take place in mid-June, before the legal authority under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) to impose the rules expires on June 30.

She said the ministry is still reviewing existing Covid-19 protocols in light of the World Health Organisation announcement that the disease is no longer considered a public health emergency.

“Therefore, the Health Ministry will continue with the existing Covid-19 prevention and control measures.

“In addition, the Health Ministry is reviewing and updating Covid-19 guidelines with reference to the WHO statement regarding the transition towards the long-term management of the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said in a statement today.

The present rules are enforced under Act 342, which entails declaring all of Malaysia an “infected area”. The declaration has been extended multiple times since the beginning of the pandemic, the last being for the period from Jan 1 to June 30, 2023.

“Declaring Malaysia as an infected area is necessary to fulfill the need to isolate Covid-19 cases in places other than hospitals, and to require employers to bear the cost of their workers’ Covid-19 tests and treatment that are directed by an authorised officer.

“The Covid-19 infection risk assessment for Malaysia is expected to take place in mid-June 2023 to review the infection area declaration and to decide the way forward,” Zaliha said.

The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) due to Covid-19 on Jan 30, 2020 – the highest state of alert under the International Health Regulations.

Last week, with the official death toll at 6.9 million, the WHO declared an end to the state of emergency but warned against complacency as Covid-19 remains a global health threat.

The declaration signals a shift in focus toward routine management of the disease.

“Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes Covid-19) will remain in the environment and will continue to evolve, it is no longer an unexpected nor unusual event,” Zaliha said.

Meanwhile, the minister said 7,596 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in Malaysia during the 18th epidemiological week (week ending May 6). This is an increase of 53.1 percent compared to the 4,963 cases recorded a week earlier.

Admission rates for Covid-19 at public healthcare facilities have also increased from 5.8 per 100,000 population to 7.2 per 100,000 during this period.

“However, the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia is still under control, and health services at hospitals are not affected,” she said. - Mkini