For most Malaysians, 2020 is certainly not what they’ve envisioned. Instead of flying cars, we’ve gone through different stages of partial lockdowns beginning March 18 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
From the movement control order (MCO) to conditional movement control order (CMCO), we’re finally in the last stage of the partial lockdown, the recovery movement control order (RMCO), starting from June 10 to August 31, with many restrictions eased.
Under RMCO, almost all social, education, religious, and business activities can resume. However, mass gatherings, overseas travel, close contact sports, open houses, and entertainment centres are still not allowed to operate until further notice.
Now that we’re living with the new normal, adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times is a must to avoid getting infected. In an NST report, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that people should avoid ‘3C’ areas, namely crowded place, confined space and close conservation.
“The public should instead practise ‘3W’, which is frequently washing their hands with water and soap; wearing face mask especially in public places or when they encounter people who are having fever and flu; practise caution by avoiding handshakes, staying at home and seeking treatment if you are developing symptoms related to Covid-19, among others,” he said in a press conference.
Living with the new normal is inevitable, so here are some more tips to stay safe while you’re outside in addition to avoiding the 3C and practising the 3W:
When working
For those who are no longer working from home, or are rotating back into working at the office in shifts, make sure you’re aware of your company’s SOPs. A good company that cares about their employees’ wellbeing should implement the following SOPs:
- Setting rulebooks or handbooks
- Carrying out temperature checks
- Rearranging seating arrangements
- Placing social distancing markers everywhere
- Limiting access to shared spaces
- Imposing stricter meeting guidelines
- Restricting visitors unless necessary
- Restricting dine-ins at the company cafeteria
Remember to bring your own sejadah and telekung to the office, as shared objects are considered close contact. Avoid sharing anything with your colleagues for a while.
When out shopping
It’s safer to shop online, but not everyone has the privilege or the ability to do so. If possible, only shop at stores or shopping malls that implement the following SOPs for the time being (if you’re not able to shop online):
- Carrying out temperature/health checks
- Placing social distancing markers everywhere
- Limiting the number of people entering a store at one time
- Providing free hand sanitising stations
- Closing some entrances for better crowd management
Whether you’re shopping for groceries or other items, remember to:
- Grab and go (don’t touch anything unless you’re certain to buy it)
- Reduce the time spent at a store – it helps to have a shopping list and stick to it
- Always sanitise/wash your hands immediately after touching anything
- Avoid paying with cash – opt for contactless payment methods (studies suggest that paper money and coins can contain bacteria and viruses, plus lead to the spread of disease)
- Once you’re home, wash your clothes immediately and sanitise every item bought
When dining in a restaurant
Takeaways are recommended, but if you have no choice, only dine at restaurants that implement the following:
- Running a contact tracing system
- Rearranging seating and tables (with social distancing markers in place)
- Restricting the number of patrons at one time
When you’re dining at a restaurant, remember to:
- Dine and dash as soon as you can – don’t stay longer than you have to
- If you use cutleries, wash/sanitise your hands immediately after eating
- Avoid paying with cash – opt for contactless payment methods
When taking public transportation
It’s challenging to practice social distancing during peak hours, but it’s not impossible. As a commuter, always remember to:
- Wear your mask and comply with the social distancing measures implemented by service operators
- Avoid using day tickets to reduce close contact – opt for weekly or monthly passes or use your own Touch n Go card
- Wash/sanitise your hands as soon as you get off the train or bus, especially if you’ve been holding on to the handrails or poles
- Avoid touching your face if you haven’t wash/sanitise your hands yet
When exercising outdoors
Team training, sports activities that do not involve physical contacts such as bowling, badminton, archery, and shooting and outdoor group activities such as bicycle rides and motorcycle convoys are now allowed under RMCO. For these, the same rules apply: avoid the 3C and practise the 3W.
Just because the number of cases in the country has dropped to a single digit, it doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over. Remember to stay safe at all times, and avoid going to places where strict SOPs aren’t being practised.