PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia does not intend to reinstate COVID-19 restrictions under the movement control order (MCO) that was in place at the height of the pandemic, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Monday (Dec 18).
“For the time being, we are not considering reinstating the MCO, although a lot of people are talking about it on X,” he said at a press conference.
The minister added that despite the rising number of infections, the situation is under control as the health ministry has strengthened its five-point COVID-19 management plan.
These include community tracing via the TRIIS (test, report, isolate, inform and seek) system, monitoring of health facilities, as well as digitalisation of pandemic management via the MySejahtera app.
“At present, the situation is not causing a burden on our health facilities,” Dr Dzulkefly said, as quoted by the Star.
“Do not be alarmed, but at the same time, take precautionary measures.
“Maintain your distance from one another, practice good hygiene, wear masks in indoor or crowded spaces and get booster shots, especially those in the high-risk categories.”
A total of 20,696 COVID-19 cases were reported in Malaysia during the week of Dec 10 to 16, a 62 per cent increase compared with the previous week.
The minister said about 97 per cent of the cases were considered low-risk, in categories one (asymptomatic) and two (mild symptoms), with 28 fatalities reported.
“We are ready for the possibility of such a surge or wave,” said Dr Dzulkefly.
“The Ministry of Health is also closely monitoring the capacity of hospitals in terms of bed management and patient treatment.”
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SUPPLY OF VACCINES
Malaysia’s existing supply of COVID-19 vaccine is sufficient for those who want to get vaccinated or a booster dose, said the country’s health director general Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan.
He added that people can make an appointment to get their booster jab or simply walk into any government health clinic or hospital.
However, Malaysia is still working on procuring Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine, which was updated to tackle currently circulating and emerging variants of the disease.
“We are still in the procurement stage because it is new. This process will take time, in terms of supply, it is quite difficult now,” Dr Radzi said.
He added that the existing COVID-19 vaccines are still effective in protecting people against existing variants and sub-variants.
Malaysia first imposed a movement control order in mid-March 2020, closing its borders and banning interstate travel. The country then went through several phases of varying restrictions over the months in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
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