KUALA LUMPUR (UCAN): The Malaysian government finally imposed a total lockdown following a dramatic surge in the number of Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) cases. A two-week total lockdown with the first phase beginning on June 1 was announced as the health minister reported more than 9,000 daily cases.
Only essential economic and service sectors listed by the National Security Council will be allowed to operate during the first phase, a statement issued by prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, said.
“This decision was made after taking into account the current situation of Covid-19 transmission in Malaysia with daily case numbers exceeding 8,000 and active cases exceeding 70,000,” Yassin said.
Malaysia is experiencing its second pandemic wave this year after partial lockdowns were imposed ahead of Ramadan in early May, with the country recording more than 559,000 cases and 2,650 deaths, and the daily rate of confirmed cases rising fivefold since March 30.
Public anger has been palpable, particularly online, amid accusations that the government had not done enough and put business interests ahead of public health. Less than three per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, a poor result compared with Singapore or Cambodia.
“Many are concerned that a strict lockdown will damage the economy … But the impact is going to be worse, or go on for much longer, if we continue with half-hearted measures,” Adeeba Kamarulzaman, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Malaya, warned.
Malaysia is also struggling to secure vaccinations but says it is moving to speed up its rollout and is acquiring a further 16 million doses over the next two months.
