Getting ready for the next stage

Living with the virus: Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle is beginning to see a heavier traffic flow. With at least 80% of our population expected to be vaccinated by the end of October, it will be time for the country to reopen its economic sectors. — Bernama

As the country prepares to move from the pandemic to endemic level of Covid-19, it’s time to engage with people who are not yet vaccinated.

PANDEMIC: adjective, meaning a disease outbreak that spreads across countries or continents.

Endemic: noun, meaning an organism that is restricted or peculiar to a locality or region.

Are we finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?

I know the sceptics among us would say that there have been many tunnels prior to this, but being optimistic, I choose to believe that news of Malaysia moving to an endemic stage at the end of next month is the best possible news given the current situation.

With 80%-plus of our population vaccinated in the next two months, we have to accept that Covid-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future and it will be time to “live with the virus”.

And if we accept this, the country will open up once again. This means all economic sectors will be allowed to operate, and perhaps some semblance of normality will be in place from November onwards.

“Semblance” because the government will need to ensure Covid-19-related SOP are still in place. A lot of what we are used to now, scanning our MySejahtera, showing our fully vaccinated digital certificate and mandatory wearing of masks will still be applicable in the coming months too.

Moving forward, there are a number of key government initiatives that need to be in place to ensure we will truly be in a recovery phase by the end of October.

Our vaccination numbers, though laudable as they are among the highest in the world, have dropped in the last two weeks. This was expected as the Klang Valley successfully completed Operation Surge Capacity and has now breached the 80% adult vaccination mark.

A number of mega vaccination centres was shut down as the daily numbers have dwindled. But it is dangerous to assume that we no longer need to push for vaccines. There is still a sizeable proportion of anti-vaxxers as well as foreign workers (both documented and undocumented) who have yet to get their jabs.

While it’s good to know that the vaccination programme in other states like Sabah and Kelantan will be ramped up, the authorities should also focus on the above segment of our population.

Amnesty for undocumented foreign workers should continue for at least another six months to allow the majority of them to be vaccinated. And even though we have yet to have a federal mandate to make vaccination compulsory, the government should adopt the carrot and stick approach in dealing with those stubborn individuals (without a viable medical reason) who refuse to be inoculated.

Retail outlets, F&B, malls, banks and government offices – these places which have high footfall – must make it mandatory to only allow individuals who have had both doses and completed the two-to-three week gestation period to enter.

At the same time, retailers can provide incentives for customers to enjoy rebates or goodies if they have taken the vaccines. And corporates should incentivise staff to get vaccinated. This can be in the form of monetary rewards or even additional leave days.

I paid RM221 for six boxes of the Covid-19 self-test kits from a pharmacy three weeks ago. That works out to RM36.90 per box, so yes, it’s welcome news that the ceiling price for these kits has now been set at RM16 (wholesale) and RM19.90 (retail).

The reduction is part of the national testing strategy in which the public will undergo regular Covid-19 tests. But even then, I still feel that the government should reduce prices even further or even make these self-test kits free for the B40 to ensure accessibility and affordability are not obstacles if the national testing strategy is to be successful.

Finally, a stable government is going to be crucial in ensuring consistent policies in combating the virus as well as reviving the economy. We have had three governments in about three and a half years and the intense politicking isn’t helping.

But with a new Prime Minister and a new Cabinet in place, a bipartisan collaboration is required, and now more than ever, this is the time for all political parties to show maturity for the sake of the rakyat.

Yes, it is important that our democratic and parliamentary structures are put in place fast. But for the time being, a ceasefire to allow this government to focus on battling Covid-19 in any way possible is absolutely crucial before a general election is called next year.

The formation of a Parliamentary Select Committee in the shape of an equal number of opposition as well as government MPs would be a fair compromise when Parliament reconvenes on Sept 13.