Rightways: COVID-19: Malaysia to open 'almost all' economic sectors from May 4 with health protocols in place, to prevent up to RM98b in losses, Stay Safe! 行动管制令 5月4日起重启大部份商业活动和社交活动

https://youtu.be/ADf5f85yMK4

A 'new norm' that should be practised - New Straits Times

https://youtu.be/3I3IRISlVYY

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/04/28/dg-we-are-in-recovery-phase#cxrecs_s?jwsource=cl

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government made the decision to reopen businesses on Monday to prevent economic losses of close to RM100 billion.

In a live address, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the country has already lost up to RM63 billion for the duration of the movement control order (MCO) since it began on March 18.

Most economic sectors in Malaysia will open from Monday (May 4) with health protocols in place, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in his Labour Day message.

In his speech that was broadcast live on Friday, Mr Muhyiddin said: "With advice from the Ministry of Health, based on data collected, and protocol outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), the government has decided to open its economic sectors carefully, while implementing stringent health standard operating procedures (SOP)."

"Almost all economic sectors and business activities will be allowed to operate from May 4, depending on protocols and SOP decided by authorities."

However, Mr Muhyiddin explained that some industries and business activities will remain closed as they involve mass gatherings, and where social distancing is difficult to enforce.

These includes cinemas, karaoke lounges, reflexology centres, nightclubs, Ramadan bazaars, Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaars, sale carnivals as well as all conferences and exhibitions.

Furthermore, sports activities that involve body contact and mass gatherings will also not proceed. These include football, rugby, swimming in public areas and all indoor sports.

READ: ‘It’s a nightmare’ - Resident quarantined in Malaysia’s COVID-19 red zone worried over access to healthcare, fresh food supplies

Meanwhile, outdoor activities such as badminton, tennis, cycling, golf and running in small groups with not more than 10 people, will be permitted.

Describing this as the "conditional movement control order (MCO)", Mr Muhyiddin added that restaurants, with enough space to ensure social distancing between customers, will also be allowed to open.

However, he maintained that religious activities such as Friday prayers and other prayers in congregation in mosques will not be permitted.

Interstate travel, including to return to hometowns for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration, is not allowed, he added.

Malaysia MCO file photo Malaysia's movement control order came into effect since Mar 18, 2020. (File photo: Bernama)

Mr Muhyiddin also said that schools and institutions of higher learning will remain closed.

"A full list of activities that will is prohibited will be reflected on the National Security Council website:www.mkn.gov.my " he said.

"The list will be reviewed from time to time depending on the number of COVID-19 cases," he added.

The MCO, enforced since Mar 18 and extended for three times until May 12, is aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

As of Friday, there are a total of 6,002 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, of whom 4,171 or 69.5 per cent have been discharged.

MALAYSIA HAS SUCCESSFULLY CONTROLLED SPREAD OF COVID-19: MUHYIDDIN

Mr Muhyiddin made the announcement to open most economic sectos following a decrease in new COVID-19 cases across the country in recent weeks, a sign that the MCO has proven to be fruitful.

He highlighted in his speech that Malaysia's economy has suffered a loss of RM2.4 billion (US$560 million) each day since the MCO was implemented. The total losses are estimated at RM63 billion, he added.

Should MCO be extended for another month, Malaysia would see a further loss of RM35 billion, the prime minister said.

In his speech, Mr Muhyiddin highlighted how discipline showed by residents to stay at home during the MCO has brought encouraging results.

READ: Putrajaya says 2 per family can leave home for essential travel, as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease

He explained that this has helped boost the Ministry of Health's capabilities in treating COVID-19 patients. Malaysia will have enough manpower, beds in hospitals, quarantine centres, medication, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and testing labs in case infection rate rises again.

He also acknowledged that in the coming months, it would be impossible for any countries to achieve zero new COVID-19 cases, Hence, Malaysia has to upgrade the capabilities of its public healthcare services to "face any possibilities", he added.

"Even though we have successfully controlled the spread of COVID-19, do not be careless. Stay vigilant. Practise social distancing, wash your hands frequently, wear a face mask in public and quickly see a doctor if you have any symptoms," said Mr Muhyiddin.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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Source: CNA/am

Story image for Penang Covid-19 May 4, 2020, LATEST UPDATE from The Star Online

Penang No new Covid-19 cases for eighth day

No new Covid-19 cases in Penang for eighth day

GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded NO new Covid-19 cases on Monday (May 4) for a straight eighth day since the last two cases were reported on April 26.

According to statistics provided by the state Health Department, the last two cases were discharged on Monday.

Previously, Penang fell short by just a few days to be declared as a green state with two cases recorded in north Seberang Prai on April 26.

The state has so far 121 cases with one fatality.

Application for ERP still open: Saravanan

The Sun Daily·1 day ago

Applications for Employee Retention Programme
still open

Barbers ready to reopen as Covid-19 cases decline

Childcare centres won't reopen for another month

Parents, nurseries should compromise on fees during MCO

The move by childcare centres or nurseries (taska) to demand full fees despite the Movement Control Order (MCO) which enters its sixth week, has become a thorny issue for parents involved.

In fact, this is one of many grouses voiced by parents when majority of the nurseries insisted that the fees must be paid in full to cover certain costs as well as to pay their staff salaries.

An e-hailing driver from Johor Baru, Amir Hamzah, said parents and the nurseries should compromise and have an understanding and empathy to come up with a win-win solution for all parties to solve the crisis.

Amir, 37, said the nurseries should not think about the profit alone by charging the same fees as before, given the fact that many expenses could be saved during the MCO.

This includes saving on utility bills such as electricity and water, stationery sets, and daily meals for the children as well as receiving wage subsidy from the government under the Prihatin Tambahan economic stimulus package.

“It is not that we don’t want to pay at all, we understand the staff salaries depend on the fees, but calculations must be made by deducting unused costs from the full payment of the monthly fees.

“If the fees remain the same, that means the nurseries are making more profits before MCO while some parents are experiencing a complete loss of income. Like me, for example, e-hailing drivers are finding so hard to make ends meet as people choose to stay home,” he told Bernama.

Throughout the MCO, the nursery has allowed Amir, who allocates RM1,000 monthly for his two children - son and daughter - to defer his payment without offering any discounts.

“They do conduct online classes for an hour daily but the effectiveness is not the same as face-to-face in a classroom, especially when children are below four years old,” he said.

Even the cost of buying learning materials and a printer was borne by parents, he added.

Sharing a similar sentiment, a bank employee who wants to be known as Atirah, 39, said the nursery has given her a half-price discount for May, with a condition that both March and April fees must be settled in full.

“Otherwise, they will terminate my three-year-old daughter’s enrollment. My husband and I are working throughout MCO as we are in the essential services. We are forced to send our child to another babysitter as the centre is closed.

“We paid in full for March despite being unable to send her to the centre for two weeks. Since MCO has been extended, we hope the nursery would compromise by offering discounts or the government to come up with fees standardisation,” she said.

Meanwhile, a member of Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia (ARCPM) Board of Trustees, Shamsinah Che Shariff, said many small nurseries or kindergartens were having trouble staying afloat as many parents have refused to pay the monthly fees.

Most of the nurseries have no issues of deducting all other costs as some families may also be affected financially by the MCO and it would be wise for both sides to come up with an agreement, she said.

“If the income of the parents has been affected, they can show the proof and discuss with the management, it should not be a problem. It is also fine if (parents) want the meal costs to be deducted. “The utility bill is not so much compare to the love and care as well as good services provided for the children. The nurseries still need to pay rent, salaries and must make contributions to Employers Provident Fund and Social Security Organisations,” she added.

However, she said, some parents did settle the full payment although they were offered discounts as they understood the value of the nurseries and kindergarten as a professional provider.

She added that small nurseries have been severely affected when parents decided not to make payment since they were looking after their children at home.

In the meantime, Shamsinah said the efforts of teachers and caregivers to conduct online lessons was a proof that they were willing to put extra efforts to ensure that children did not miss the learning process apart from making most of their time with quality activities.

“With the technology, the online teaching initiative definitely needs a little assistance from parents, but parents should also see that it takes a lot of effort from teachers to make extra preparation to conduct the lesson,” she added. — Bernama

首相慕尤丁宣布5月4日起重启大部份商业活动和社交活动- 9点 ...

行动管制令】禁止回乡及跨州活动| 国内| 東方網馬來西亞東方日

#新冠疫情重点看#首相劳动节献词| Sharetisfy

慕尤丁宣布重启经济活动讲词重点- 百格视频| 百格 ..

首相慕尤丁宣布，从5月4日起，近乎所有经济领域及商业活动，可以在有条件及遵循卫生部定下的指南下重启，但涉及群聚的领域及体育项目，照旧停业。

慕尤丁劳动节特别演说重点摘要：

✅5月4日起，商业活动、办公室复工，以及餐馆获准恢复营业，而娱乐场所如戏院、酒吧、俱乐部预料还是继续不准对外开放。

✅ 运动方面，只有少人运动被允许，如羽毛球、tennis、跑步等等，只有缺少与人身体接触的运动被允许。足球，公共泳池禁止开放

✅涉及群聚的聚会，如私人聚餐，政府领域餐会、宗教活动如周五祈祷，皆不允许

✅群聚活动依然被禁止，开斋节不能回kampung，而大学，学校也还未能开放。

✅在餐厅用餐需遵守2m的距离

首相慕尤丁宣布，5月4日起，政府实行 #有条件行管令（#PKPB），近乎所有经济领域及商业活动，可在有条件及遵循卫生部规定的指南下重启，但涉及群聚的领域及体育项目，照旧停业及禁行。

慕尤丁劳动节特别演说重点摘要：

📌5月4日起全国推行有条件行管令（PKPB），至于强管令（PKPD/EMCO）将视疫情严重性在指定地区实行。

📌📌涉群聚领域：戏院、卡拉OK、按摩中心、娱乐中心，夜总会、主题乐园、斋戒月市场、大卖场、所有大型议会、商展与展览会，暂不能复业。

📌涉群聚活动：文化宗教的大型聚会，包括私人聚餐，公共领域及政府开放日及每月集会、开斋餐会、演唱会、文化表演、大型私人活动等禁止举行。

📌体育：足球，橄榄球、公共泳池、所有室内体育项目、体育馆禁止开放；室外/少人及没身体碰触运动：如羽球，网球，跑步、高尔夫球，脚车及少于10人的室外体育活动等被允许，但须遵循社交距离。

📌教育：所有学校、学院、高等教育学府继续关闭。

📌托儿：托儿所可在特定卫生SOP下重新开放，建议雇主为双薪父母提供方便，安排轮流上班日制，让其中一方可在家作业及照顾孩子，减轻托儿所孩子数量。

📌宗教：宗教集会、周五祈祷以及宗教场所活动，皆不允许。

📌餐饮：允许堂食，但座位人数减少，每桌最高限制3至4人，业者须记录堂食顾客联络电话，供日后追踪。

📌餐饮：餐馆业者可在这两天清理餐馆及进行开业准备，餐桌之间，须至少2公尺距离。餐饮业者必须提供员工口罩同时测量食客体温。食客离开后须即刻清理桌子。

📌餐饮：付账柜台须划线，至少一米社距，确保顾客守规。同时柜台须备有搓手液，洗手盆也须备有肥皂及洗手液。

📌餐饮：除了餐馆食肆，其他饮食如熟食摊档、流动食摊也必须遵循所需准则，保障食客安全。

📌油站：业者须准备足够搓手液方便公众使用。

📌职场：政府鼓励继续在家作业，建议雇主安排员工轮流上班。

📌职场：每个员工须测体温，体温过高建议回家或马上就诊。公司及员工须确保办公室维持整洁，同事们也须避免身体碰触。

📌公共领域：公共领域5月4日营运，若非必要，政府鼓励公务员在家作业，建议网络会议解决公务；至于必须要照顾孩子的家庭，政府可安排弹性工作时间表。

📌跨境或州：只有涉及工作需求才允许，禁止跨州回乡。

📌公共交通：乘客需戴口罩，同时也须备有口罩及搓手液。

📌行管令期间，我国每天的经济损失约是24亿，截至目前的损失约630亿令吉，若再持续一个月，经济损失再增350亿至980亿令吉，即接近千亿巨损。

📌根据卫生部，大马已符合世卫所定下的6大准则，即疫情下缓、完善医疗体系、边境防控防止输入病例、保护高危群、民众适应新常态及能应付及防范社区感染等。

📌民众对经济领域开放或感担忧，毕竟病毒存在感染风险就存在，我同样担忧；但无论如何，大家勿恐慌及放弃，我们相信所有前线人员有能力抗疫。

📌人民重要的责任是照顾卫生，若非必要别出门，时刻遵守SOP，到公共场所时佩戴口罩，携带搓手液；若可以，把在家作业成为新常态。

📌一家之主及社会领袖者应扮演角色，劝喻所有人保持谨慎，避免邻里群集，若在工作及住家范围出现病例，务必尽速通知执法单位。

📌允许重启及复业的领域完整名单，国人可到国安会（MKN）官网查询。

📌建议民众下载MySejahtera及MyTrace APP，协助政府追踪新感染群。

【行管第44天】吁有条件批托儿所运作方志伟：让家长安心上班 ...

随着许多工厂获得批准复工后，民政党总财政方志伟建议中央及州政府，以有条件方式让安亲班及托儿所恢复运作，以解决家长上班后，家里幼小子女无人看顾的问题。

他周四发文告时说，州内许多工厂日前已陆续复工，造成父母又要开始恢复忙碌的生活，对于家里有幼小孩子的父母亲，家长肯定面对另一个烦躁问题，他们上班后，在托儿所及安亲班没有开放情况下，他们的孩子将何去何从呢？

他表示，现代社会双薪家庭比比皆是，夫妻在同一间工厂或同一个工业区上班是司空见惯的事情，他们每天上午前往上班前，已习惯将子女送入安亲班或托儿所照顾，在下班后才来接载他们回家。

不过，政府至今未向拖儿所等业者发出绿灯，意味着这些上班族家长在恢复前往工作同时，也为无人看顾子女感到担忧。他说，家里如果有长辈，还可以协助看顾，但对于小康家庭，他们可要很烦恼了。

“为了解决这一方面的问题，政府可以考虑让托儿所及安亲班业者复工，并在同一个时候要他们遵守指示。”

他说，与其他领域一样，这些业者一旦获得批准复工 ,必须根据标准运作程序(SOP)作足一切防疫措施。

他表示，政府如果允许他们复工，托儿所及安亲班业者将为孩子们提供口罩，洗手液及保持社交距离等，全面做好防疫工作。

“我希望政府尽快实施有条件的开放有关领域，一来可以解决年轻家长上班后孩子无人照顾的问题，二来让他们可以安心的工作。”

他说，除了工厂，其他非关键行业在国家疫情好转后将陆续获批运作，想想看在这些领域工作的家长，也是会面对同样的问题。

因此，政府应该在这个时候，考虑有条件的马上批准安亲班及托儿所业者恢复运作，以让上班者可托儿。

Stay Safe !

Dear All , This is an important message for all !

For those who are arguing on both sides that we must open now or it is too soon to open, *this is the most important thing you need to know*.

Here's the most asked question to answer:

*When will it be SAFE to end the lockdown, to re-emerge?*

*May 1st? Or May 15th?* *Or June end? Or July end? Or August?*

Here's the real answer: *Never*. *It will never be "SAFE.*”

Why ?

Social distancing, staying at home, all of these measures - were these not meant to "cure" Covid-19 ?

*No at all ! These were measures to slow it down, so as to not overwhelm our healthcare system*.

For the most part, so far we've done that.

However it should be clearly understood that It does not change the virality of Covid-19 ; or how it spreads from one person to another.

*Nor does it have any effect on the mortality rate*.
*It was intended to just delay it until we find a PERMANENT CURE .*

A very important point to note here is that - As soon as we re-emerge, the virus will spread again, & the people with weak immune systems will still succumb to it in large nos .

*This is a harsh fact which all of us have to realise .*

The people who missed it this time, may eventually get it - regardless of whether we re-emerge on May 1st or September 30th ......

*What is it , that we need to do now ?*
We need to protect our healthcare system in every possible way to handle the load, but we don't need to mislead ourselves over the outcome of this quarantine.

*Hard Truth of life now is* - *It is slowing it down, but not curing it.*

Eg : If you're driving to Alor Setar from Kuala Lumpur at 50 miles an hour or 100 miles an hour, the distance doesn't change, isn’t it ???

Therefore the need of the hour now is -

*if our lifestyle is causing you to have a weakened immune system, use this lockdown time to correct that*. This should be one of our major resolutions / actionables now without any doubt !

*Otherwise, you've placed a “heavy target “ on your own back* *which will be very difficult to carry* ...

Youngsters as well as older *people should understand & make sure that this is not the time for indulging in comfort food* - but it's a time to give ourselves the healthiest, most robust immune system our body is capable of.

*How can this be achieved*?
1 - By Having healthy , nutritious food ,
2 - Compulsory, 8-hour, night sleep.- drink lime water ( warm water ) daily morning without fail ;
3 - Not having refrigerated or aerated drinks ;
4 - Detox yourself everyday &
5 - maintain social distancing for next couple of weeks/ even months until we have a vaccine or definite, standardized, proven medicine that ensures rapid cure.

It's as simple as this !!!

Hope you all understand that this is just the beginning & not the end .

We need to be careful about ourselves by maintaining real good healthly & hygienic habits in this lockdown period !

*Stay Indoor ! Stay Safe !*

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