Sin Chew Daily

Although the threats of coronavirus have yet to be fully dismissed, the numbers of daily new positive cases have been on a steady downtrend in the past one week, which is very encouraging indeed.

While the government's movement control order has somewhat contained the spread of the virus, it has nevertheless dealt a severe blow on the local economy as well as society.

With the outbreak now under better control, it is timely for the government to draw up an appropriate exit strategy.

To be honest, the health ministry has already looked into such a post-MCO exit strategy so that Malaysians can slowly get adapted to the "new normal", including three to six months of ban on all gatherings, keeping safe social distances and staying at home as far as possible.

As the virus is yet to be fully controlled, even if the government were to decide to lift the MCO and not to extend it after April 28, a complete lift is impossible because if we take things too lightly, it is very likely for the virus to stage a strong comeback due to our negligence.

In other words, the government must have in place an appropriate exit strategy before ending the MCO. The authorities must have a very clear concept and remain unwavering in their objective to continue keeping the virus in check and minimize its spread. This is necessary to gradually open up economic sectors.

As health DG Noor Hisham Abdullah has said, the government's exit strategy must be one that will ensure that the country can break the infection chain, which is of paramount importance.

Against this backdrop, the government can consider lifting the MCO in some of the green zones first in order to get the local economic activities moving again. Places badly hit by the outbreak should be put under continuous observation, with area-specific measures adjusted in accordance with the current developments based on accurate real-time data.

The WHO has projected that the war against COVID-19 will extend well into next year. In view of this, the government's exit strategy must take into consideration long-term developments over the next one year. A comprehensive and effective exit strategy should be one that helps gradually restore socioeconomic dynamism while continuing to check the spread of the coronavirus. Having experienced a certain period of MCO, the Malaysian society needs a proper exit strategy to take the country's anti-virus warfare to the next level.

As for the general public, they have to be adequately prepared for life after MCO. They must not think that they can revert to their familiar good old ways of living once again.

In short, Malaysians must attune their attitudes to life after MCO.

Whether MCO is eventually lifted after April 28, and whether they are in a red or green zone, Malaysians must continue to practice good hygiene on a day-to-day basis, washing their hands diligently, staying home and staying away from large crowds of people whenever possible.

This is the "new normal" we need to adapt ourselves to.