It’s up to us to comply with the SOP, say many Malaysians

PETALING JAYA: With the country easing more Covid-19 restrictions starting today, Malaysians believe they should protect themselves even more.

They also hope that there would still be enforcement measures to ensure adherence to the standard operating procedure.

Bank executive May Shahrin said people should take the necessary precautions.

“As we’re transitioning into endemicity, it is up to us to take care of ourselves. Kita jaga kita (we look after ourselves),” she said.

May said she believes that there should still be enforcement of the SOP but only in situations that warrant it, to ensure the public are kept aware that Covid-19 is still a health threat.

“For example, there should be enforcement against those who are positive with Covid-19 and yet enter public areas,” she said.

Business controller Mohd Zulhilmi Abd Aziz said individuals now have a bigger role to play in complying with the SOP.

“I believe most Malaysians realise the importance of health.

“With a huge spike in movement expected during Hari Raya, it could be very risky with the new SOP in place, especially on the mask mandate,” said Mohd Zulhilmi, 31.

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Unit trust consultant Lee Xiao Jin, 28, said there should be clear guidelines and some form of enforcement on wearing masks indoors as the public might take the ruling lightly due to the easing of the masking restriction when outdoors.

“The government should provide clearer rules for everyone to comply with, because it seems like there will be no enforcement even if you don’t wear your mask indoors.

“Even though the number of Covid-19 cases has decreased a lot recently, people with weak immunity or comorbidities can still be endangered when others do not wear a mask in public,” she said, adding that she and her family would continue to mask up in public areas.

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On the public not needing to check in via MySejahtera when entering premises, Lee said it is a move she agrees with, but it is important for the government to enforce strict quarantine rules for Covid-19 patients.

“As of now, we cannot really track the whereabouts of Covid-19 patients nor do anything if they leave their home when under quarantine,” she said.

She added that those who test positive on Covid-19 self-test kits may potentially not declare their status on MySejahtera, allowing their status to remain as “low risk”.

“This is why I think the use of MySejahtera can be optional now but there must be other ways to ensure Covid-19 patients remain in quarantine,” she said.

On April 27, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced a slew of relaxations to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Among them were that MySejahtera check-ins were no longer required at premises with staffers now having to check the risk status of patrons, with positive cases and those undergoing quarantine not allowed entry.

Activities were also allowed to be run at 100% capacity with physical distancing no longer required.