KUCHING: There is much fear surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO) and even the thought of what may happen after the MCO is lifted can cause trepidation.
For many, concerns over what will happen after the MCO ends revolve around a potential second wave of Covid-19 incidences, employment uncertainties and the economy’s recovery.
Marketing strategist Seán Matjeraie, 27, said his greatest fear for the post-MCO period was that the virus might return to heavily impact everyone again.
“We could go through a cycle of MCOs, which is not good for anyone – economically and socially. Though I feel that we need to loosen the strings on more services and industries, it has to come with very strict processes like social distancing and reduction of crowds, and ultimately continued and strategic testing until a Covid-19 vaccine is created,” he said.
Paralegal Allen Liew, 25, also noted that there was no proven treatment for the virus just yet and he felt that the Covid-19 pandemic would not be over so soon.
“My main fear is that when the MCO is lifted, people will think that everything is fine and they can do whatever they want and go wherever they want as they used to be before this pandemic. This is definitely wrong,” he stressed.
He said the public should bear in mind that once the MCO was lifted, necessary precautions still had to be taken to prevent the virus from spreading again.
Similarly, assistant medical officer Rhafiq Saufi, 26, was worried that once the MCO was over, the public would try to return to life as normal with a lack of awareness about the impending risk of a secondary wave.
“With this lack of awareness and with festive seasons such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaching, new clusters can arise and the number of cases can increase again – and it will be out of control,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Another fear of his was that the virus could potentially mutate and become even more lethal.
Real estate negotiator Brandon Chew Wui Pin, 43, also expressed concern over public awareness on social distancing and infection prevention measures post-MCO, and how long the public would take the matter seriously until a cure or vaccine was available.
“It does not mean that once the MCO is over, there is a cure. Even China is now facing the risk of a second wave of infections,” he said.
In addition, he said the economic slowdown caused by the MCO and virus worldwide would have its effect for at least three to six months on various industries, especially tourism, food and beverage and entertainment.
“We will definitely feel this but I am quite optimistic that we can overcome this hardship. We must work together and build up the economy as soon as possible. Change our business models to those based on a digital lifestyle, as those who do not adapt will have a difficult time,” he remarked.
Chew hoped that the government would expedite the implementation of 5G for faster internet speeds and better digital marketing.
Contractor Mujan Lah, 49, said that with the downturn of the world economy as a result of Covid-19, there were many negative effects such as loss of jobs and increased cases of robbery due to a lack of income.
Chemist Tan Shao Chien, 27, said he feared losing his job due to the pandemic. He pointed out that many companies were not operating due to the MCO, including his company.
“This extended period of stoppage has caused my company to lose a lot financially, therefore retrenchment of staff is very likely,” he said.
