Health DG: Social Activities Are Allowed NOT Because It’s Safe, But To Ease The Economy

It’s NOT safe to go out yet!

Yesterday (19 August), Caretaker Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that several social activities in states under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) will be allowed starting 20 August for fully vaccinated individuals.

These activities include dine-in at restaurants, certain sports and recreation activities as well as pasar malams.

This may have come as a shock to many as Malaysia logged an all-time high of 22,948 Covid-19 cases on the same day the announcement was made.

With the Delta Variant still rampant in the community, going out is certainly not safe, especially when children, who are at risk of infection too, are allowed to follow their fully vaccinated parents into these public areas.

Rightfully so, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reminded Malaysians in a tweet that these social activities are being allowed NOT because it is safe, but because of the economy.

“A reminder to all, many places are opening because of the economy and not because it is safe,” he said.

“Please keep that in mind; please wear a mask, double masks if possible, practise physical distancing and frequent hand washing. Avoid crowded and confined spaces. Stay safe and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Please do not take the resumption of social activities as a green light to go out as and when you like. Covid-19 is still infecting thousands of people every day and taking the lives of innocent people of all ages. If you really do need to go out, do adhere to strict standard operating procedures (SOP) to keep yourself and your loved ones protected.

Stay vigilant and stay safe!

Also read: New Zealand’s Covid-19 Cases Quadruple Overnight Due To Delta Variant