Malaysia likely to impose new lockdown measures
Malaysia is expected to go into another Covid-19-triggered lockdown after a recent surge in coronavirus cases. The country reached the highest daily number of deaths linked to the pandemic so far, while the number of daily reported cases of infected people likewise climbed to record highs, latest statistics show.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will likely announce the new measures on January 11 in a speech to the nation. They are believed to include another round of lockdowns across the country, though businesses warned that wider restrictions could further batter the already weakened economy.
Inter-state and inter-district travel could be tightened to bring down the number of new infections, sources said.
Noor Hisham Abdullah, director-general of health in the country’s health ministry, said that Malaysia’s health system was “at a breaking point” due to the increase in Covid-19 cases.
According to Malaysian health minister Adham Baba, the government is currently “fine-tuning” its national vaccination plan, which is scheduled to start next month and will make inoculations available to all Malaysians.
Businesses warn of economic hardships, ask for support programmes
Meanwhile, the looming lockdown similar to the one implemented in March have caused businesses to warn of economic collapse. Experts say that without stronger social safety net programmes, including major efforts to expand coverage and reduce qualifying conditions to receive assistance, another nationwide lockdown would further deepen existing socioeconomic disparities, with vulnerable groups like women, youth and lower-educated or poorer households hit the hardest.
Malaysia is expected to go into another Covid-19-triggered lockdown after a recent surge in coronavirus cases. The country reached the highest daily number of deaths linked to the pandemic so far, while the number of daily reported cases of infected people likewise climbed to record highs, latest statistics show. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will likely announce the new measures on January 11 in a speech to the nation. They are believed to include another round of lockdowns across the country, though businesses warned that wider restrictions could further batter the already weakened economy. Inter-state and inter-district travel could be...
Malaysia is expected to go into another Covid-19-triggered lockdown after a recent surge in coronavirus cases. The country reached the highest daily number of deaths linked to the pandemic so far, while the number of daily reported cases of infected people likewise climbed to record highs, latest statistics show.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will likely announce the new measures on January 11 in a speech to the nation. They are believed to include another round of lockdowns across the country, though businesses warned that wider restrictions could further batter the already weakened economy.
Inter-state and inter-district travel could be tightened to bring down the number of new infections, sources said.
Noor Hisham Abdullah, director-general of health in the country’s health ministry, said that Malaysia’s health system was “at a breaking point” due to the increase in Covid-19 cases.
According to Malaysian health minister Adham Baba, the government is currently “fine-tuning” its national vaccination plan, which is scheduled to start next month and will make inoculations available to all Malaysians.
Businesses warn of economic hardships, ask for support programmes
Meanwhile, the looming lockdown similar to the one implemented in March have caused businesses to warn of economic collapse. Experts say that without stronger social safety net programmes, including major efforts to expand coverage and reduce qualifying conditions to receive assistance, another nationwide lockdown would further deepen existing socioeconomic disparities, with vulnerable groups like women, youth and lower-educated or poorer households hit the hardest.
