KUCHING: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has commended the decision to impose a conditional movement control order (CMCO) as of May 4, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today.
“I am happy to hear the good news from our Prime Minister on the relaxation of the MCO, with many economic and social activities being allowed to commence – albeit with certain conditions,” he said today.
He said the MCO could not go on forever, pointing out that what was important was that the government had managed to instil awareness in the people through the MCO.
“This awareness includes the importance of maintaining good hygiene, social distancing, using sanitisers and face masks, and avoiding areas where there are large congregations of people,” he said.
He said with this awareness well instilled in the Malaysian public, it was now time to reboot the nation’s economy by opening up some economic sectors.
He said that allowing certain sports activities which did not involve close contact during the CMCO period was also a welcome move.
“However, while we are happy with these restrictions being eased, we must always be cautious as the war against Covid-19 is not won yet,” stressed Abdul Karim.
He said all Malaysians still had to ensure that measures imposed in the battle against the coronavirus were adhered to strictly.
“Slowly, with this easing of economic and social activities, our lives will return to normal again,” he said.
Earlier, Muhyiddin had said that almost all economic sectors would be allowed to resume, subject to certain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and conditions.
He said that businesses involving crowds where social distancing would be difficult to exercise would not be allowed to operate.
