Page 134 - MALAYSIA HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD

PART 6: STRIKING THE BALANCE BETWEEN
ECONOMY AND HEALTH

Malaysia’s economy had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia’s economy had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
PART 6: STRIKING THE BALANCE BETWEEN
The MCO, which was imposed since 18th March 2020, had seen the
The MCO, which was imposed since 18th March 2020, had seen the
ECONOMY AND HEALTH
suspension of all economic activities, with the exception of essential
suspension of all economic activities, with the exception of essential
1
industries. Inevitably, approximately RM63 billion losses were incurred,

1
industries. Inevitably, approximately RM63 billion losses were incurred,
1
with an estimated RM2.4 billion daily losses due to the MCO.
Malaysia’s economy had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
with an estimated RM2.4 billion daily losses due to the MCO.
1
When the MCO was lifted on 4th May 2020, 47 days after the MCO was
The MCO, which was imposed since 18th March 2020, had seen the
enforced, almost all economic sectors and business activities were
suspension of all economic activities, with the exception of essential
permitted to resume operation . Workers had been allowed to return to
2-5
When the MCO was lifted on 4th May 2020, 47 days after the MCO was
1
industries. Inevitably, approximately RM63 billion losses were incurred,
work, and Malaysia’s economy seemed to be on its road towards recovery.
with an estimated RM2.4 billion daily losses due to the MCO.
1
enforced, almost all economic sectors and business activities were permitted
Despite the reiterated reminders by MOH Malaysia to the business sectors
When the MCO was lifted on 4th May 2020, 47 days after the MCO was
2-5
to resume operation . Workers had been allowed to return to work, and
regarding the importance of following workplace SOPs, an increasing
enforced, almost all economic sectors and business activities were
Malaysia’s economy seemed to be on its road towards recovery. Despite the
number of COVID-19 cases related to the workplace have been reported,
2-5
permitted to resume operation . Workers had been allowed to return to
reiterated reminders by MOH Malaysia to the business sectors regarding
suggesting non-compliance to workplace SOPs among workers. About one-
work, and Malaysia’s economy seemed to be on its road towards recovery.
the importance of following workplace SOPs, an increasing number of
third of the clusters reported were related to workplaces . The incessant
6
Despite the reiterated reminders by MOH Malaysia to the business sectors
emergence of workplace clusters has pushed the Malaysian COVID-19
COVID-19 cases related to the workplace have been reported, suggesting
regarding the importance of following workplace SOPs, an increasing
statistics to a further higher magnitude, especially during the third COVID-
number of COVID-19 cases related to the workplace have been reported,
non-compliance to workplace SOPs among workers. About one-third of the
19 wave in Malaysia. As of 31st December 2020, Malaysia had a total of
suggesting non-compliance to workplace SOPs among workers. About one-
6
clusters reported were related to workplaces . The incessant emergence
7
113,010 COVID-19 cases, with 23,598 still being active cases . With the
third of the clusters reported were related to workplaces . The incessant
6
of workplace clusters has pushed the Malaysian COVID-19 statistics to a
economic sector resuming operations and workers returning to work, the
emergence of workplace clusters has pushed the Malaysian COVID-19
further higher magnitude, especially during the third COVID-19 wave
COVID-19 transmission at workplaces has been challenging to curb due to
statistics to a further higher magnitude, especially during the third COVID-
the presence of asymptomatic cases.
in Malaysia. As of 31st December 2020, Malaysia had a total of 113,010
19 wave in Malaysia. As of 31st December 2020, Malaysia had a total of
COVID-19 cases, with 23,598 still being active cases . With the economic
7
113,010 COVID-19 cases, with 23,598 still being active cases . With the
7

economic sector resuming operations and workers returning to work, the
sector resuming operations and workers returning to work, the COVID-19
COVID-19 transmission at workplaces has been challenging to curb due to
transmission at workplaces has been challenging to curb due to the presence

the presence of asymptomatic cases.
of asymptomatic cases.

Figure 6.1: The Prime Minister: Almost all economic sectors, businesses

could reopen on 4th May 2020, subject to conditions (Source: BERNAMA )
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Figure 6.1: The Prime Minister: Almost all economic sectors, businesses
5
could reopen on 4th May 2020, subject to conditions (Source: BERNAMA )

98 STRIKING THE BALANCE BETWEEN ECONOMY AND HEALTH