Left with no choice, the government might be forced to go to the extreme.
Advice needed
With the number of daily cases topping the 3,500 mark every day since 5 May (4,446 on Monday, 17 May), rumours are rife that the government will be imposing a full lockdown again.While the government has been mum on the matter, a Minister has revealed that a full lockdown is a possibility.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told New Straits Times that the government will only announce a full-blown MCO only after a discussion with the relevant authorities.
Ismail Sabri said that the Ministry of Health will provide advice on whether the country should go into a full lockdown mode.
"We will discuss this matter in the special National Security Council meeting (on COVID-19). If the Health Ministry sees a need (for a total lockdown), then the matter will be presented (during the meeting)," he was quoted as saying.
MOH mulling decision
The Ministry of Health, meanwhile, is reportedly considering implementing a stricter MCO, The Edge Markets reported.Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, was quoted as saying that a the government will go to extreme lenghts to curb the spread of the virus.
As such, a stricter lockdown may be imposed in states which record a surge in COVID-19 cases such as Selangor.
"I agree with the proposal for a stricter enforcement of the SOPs and MCO if the on-going measures are unable to contain the spread of the virus.
"The proposal to implement a full-scale MCO is something that we can consider (to propose to the National Security Council)," he was quoted as saying.
No matter what, we feel that the government should do all they can to stop the spread of the virus. If that means another total MCO, then so be it.