Could Malaysia face a surge in Covid-19 cases after easing MCO?

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Risk Management Experts Warn of Potential Covid-19 Surge Following MCO Easing

Risk management practitioners have voiced significant concerns that Malaysia could face a heightened risk of a Covid-19 surge if the movement control order (MCO) is eased prematurely, allowing most businesses to fully operate. They argue that the decision to allow businesses to reopen on May 4, while the MCO Phase 4 is still in effect until May 12, is too abrupt and could undermine the country's efforts to control the pandemic. This move, they believe, poses a substantial safety risk that requires stringent, consistent monitoring.
Abrupt Easing of MCO Raises Safety Concerns

The decision to permit businesses to resume full operations on May 4 has been described as too sudden by Prof Datuk Mohd Rasid Hussin, president of the International Institute of Risk Management and Crisis Strategies (IIRMACS). He highlighted that MCO Phase 4 is ongoing until May 12, and this abrupt shift could escalate risks and potentially lead to a national crisis. He cited examples of Japan, Canada, and Singapore, where underestimating potential pandemic impacts has resulted in resurgent outbreaks.
Efforts to Control Covid-19 Could Be Undermined

Mohd Rasid expressed concern that Malaysia's commendable efforts in managing the Covid-19 pandemic could be negated if a new wave emerges. He stressed that failure to contain the spread from May 4 onwards would be a significant setback, particularly for frontliners who have worked diligently. The principle of risk management dictates that public safety should be prioritised over economic interests, especially when the nation and its people remain at risk.
Social Distancing Lapses and Historical Precedents

A key preventive measure, social distancing, has not been consistently observed by some individuals even during the MCO period. Mohd Rasid warned that the easing of restrictions could lead to worrying outcomes, recalling the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. During that historical event, a second wave proved significantly deadlier after an eagerness to return to normal life, indicating the potential dangers of premature relaxation.
Need for Vigilance and Comprehensive Monitoring

If the decision to ease the MCO cannot be reversed, practitioners urge the government to maintain vigilance with preventive measures. This includes mobilising all government machinery and agencies for continuous, close monitoring of the situation. Furthermore, greater attention must be paid to data management for effective risk assessment and response, alongside collaboration with non-governmental organisations and risk management entities. The implementation of the government's standard operating procedures relies heavily on the discipline and responsibility of the public and stakeholders, as risk management is a collective effort.

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Could Malaysia face a surge in Covid-19 cases after easing MCO?

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