KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing agrees with the resumption of some economic activities under the conditional movement control order (CMCO), but cautions that the opening of food and beverage outlets in red zones needs to be reviewed carefully, especially in Sarawak.
This should not be an issue in green zones, provided that the new normal was followed, he said.
He said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement on the opening up economic activities was correct, including the decision to still ban activities which required close proximity between people, such as contact sports, religious gatherings, and schools.
“The owners of economic activities which are allowed to operate must play it smart and follow movement control order (MCO) rulings and laws so that their businesses can start to move forward.
“If they do not follow the rules and get too greedy, they will stand to lose if the MCO comes down hard on them. Then, we have to start all over again,” he said when contacted today.
He described this as a ‘soft landing’ with regard to the opening of businesses in the nation.
“Slowly and steadily, we will open up our economic activities, and at the same time we will break the chain of spread of Covid-19.
“However, once a vaccine is found, then we can go full throttle and live the life we had before the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Masing.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin had announced the CMCO, in which almost all economic sectors would be allowed to resume on May 4, subject to certain and conditions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He said that certain social activities would also be permitted, such as sport activities that did not involve close contact.
However, businesses and social activities that involved crowds and gatherings would not be allowed.
