Covid-19: MMA says no to random checks

PETALING JAYA: There is no need for heavy-handed enforcement with random checks on business premises and visitors to screen for those with high-risk status, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

It said the country was in a transition period to a state of normalcy and strict enforcement could be viewed as regressive, possibly even inviting resentment from business owners and the public.

It was responding to a statement by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi on Saturday (April 30) that the ministry would deploy enforcement officers to conduct random checks on business premises and visitors.

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Nanta said if anyone's status is found to be high risk for Covid-19, action will be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said the state of Emergency declared last year had already been revoked and the enforcement of Act 342 can only be done by the officers of the Health Ministry, as no other agencies have been empowered to do so.

"This type of strict enforcement was necessary in the early stages before the population was vaccinated and hospitalisations were high, but we have improved significantly now in the management of the pandemic.

"Businesses are well aware of the effect Covid-19 can potentially have and therefore we should trust business owners and the people to take all necessary precautions," he said on Sunday (May 1).

"After two years of the pandemic, the people should know by now what they ought to be doing to protect themselves, their families and their income.

"At this point in time, both monitoring and enforcement activities related to Act 342 should be left (to) the Health Ministry," he said.

Dr Koh said responsible members of the public would follow prescribed Covid-19 guidelines and practise self-discipline to avoid a surge in cases which may force things back to the time of stringent standard operating procedures.

"This will be detrimental to our economic and mental health," he added.