THE reimplementation of the movement control order (MCO 2.0), beginning from Jan 13 until Feb 4, has been extended to Feb 18. The two-week extension applies to all states in Malaysia except Sarawak.
There is a compromise however as more businesses are allowed to operate because the authorities want to strike a balance between lives and livelihoods.
With the extension of the MCO 2.0, Buletin Mutiara spoke to some of the Penangites for their views on the extended lockdown. Below are their comments.
Shaharoom Mohamed, retiree, 61:
“I prefer the first MCO in March last year because there was stricter enforcement.
“Now people are so stubborn, and you can see quite a number of them not complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) at public places.
“The number of Covid-19 cases has not decreased even after the reimplementation of the MCO. Perhaps, there is no strict adherence to the SOPs.
“Sometimes, people say that they are bored after being ‘locked down’ in the house for too long, but I think it is better for us to suffer now and have a better and safer future.
“We can always resume our daily activities when all this is over. But are we able to revive a person once he or she is dead?
“My main concern is the frontliners, especially those medical frontliners. What will happen to them if the cases keep rising? How much longer can they stand this?
“I will keep praying for our frontliners.
“Two of my family members, my niece and nephew, are working at the Penang Hospital in the pharmacy and operation theatre division respectively.
“How vulnerable it is for them to work in such an environment.
“My thoughts and prayers are also with our Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, who is on a tireless mission combating the pandemic together with his frontliners.
“It would be better if the MCO gets extended maybe until March. Even though, I have already purchased a flight ticket to travel in March, I am ready to sacrifice that for the sake of public health.
Priscilla, inventory analyst, 40:
“The first MCO had actually helped to flatten the curve, because it was stricter with only essential services allowed to operate. That improved the situation tremendously.
“During that time, Penang, together with all the other states in Malaysia, started to become green zone states. We were relieved.
“But now, there seems to be new cases being reported every day in large numbers. What is worrisome is the death toll.
‘Looking at the current situation, I am extremely concerned about the vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children.
“In order to for us to bring down the cases once again like how we did during the first MCO, then we should have a similar lockdown till March.
“Certain groups of people, like the small traders and those who depend on daily wages, would be affected but the lockdown would ensure public safety.
“Both the Federal and state governments need to provide financial assistance to them under such circumstances.”
Balachanthiran Rajoo, chef, 38: 
“Whether it is MCO 1.0 or MCO 2.0, what matters the most is people’s mindset and their seriousness in curbing the pandemic. Everyone is accountable and must comply with the SOPs.
“From what I observe at public places, some automatically practise physical distancing and keep their masks on. However, there are some who are not bothered at all.
“Sometimes, even the business operators do not instruct their customers to follow the SOPs required such as checking-in using MySejahtera app, checking body temperature and using sanitisers.
“Instead of MCO, I think recovery movement control order (RMCO) should be implemented to help many sectors to resume their business. This will ease the burden of many families or restore their livelihoods.
“For those areas with high number of Covid-19 cases, the Federal Government can impose a targeted lockdown.”
Sun Yong Chin, business operator in the supply chain industry:
“I definitely prefer MCO 2.0 because I am able to operate my business this time. Only essential services were allowed to operate in the first MCO.
“However, since the cases are still high, it is good to extend the MCO. The most important thing is we need self-awareness if we are to eradicate the pandemic.
“People need to know that MCO will not be effective if there is no compliance with SOPs. We must be always conscious of the precautionary measures.
“Apart from that, amid our fight against the pandemic, I hope that the Federal Government would ensure school children undergo a smooth learning using diversified platforms.”
Story by Tanushalini Moroter