The Indefinite Extension of the MCO Is Affecting Malaysians.

By Chen Sylvia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s first Movement Control Order (MCO) started almost a year ago on 18 March 2020 which continued to be enforced for over a year since then.

The MCO had continued for a whole year since March 2020, but the confirmed cases for the Covid-19 are still on a rise until today, the government announced that the MCO would only be lifted once the daily Covid-19 confirmed cases fall below 4,000 cases on 15 June 2021.

Since the MCO was announced, only partial essential services are allowed to operate while other industries are requested to remain close. Schools are also closed to reduce the social contact between students and working adults are also advised to work from home (WFH).

Yip Sam-Ee, 21, Corporate Communication degree student in University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) mentioned that the MCO brought a great challenge to her school life.

“I have not been to school for over a year, online classes are a new study style for me to adapt, but I am starting to get used to it.”

Yip also added that virtual learning is very different from physical learning and she also felt amazed for the advanced technology we have today.

Yip mentioned that E-learning is a whole new study style.

Lu Jie, 55, Founder of 77 Nails. She stated that the MCO brought a huge impact to her business as manicures and pedicures are not included in the essential list from the government. Her business was affected badly and she has had income throughout the MCO since she is unable to continue her work.

“I am very worried as I could not continue my business and I am mentally and financially stressed out,” said Lu.

“Sometimes I even feel depressed as I could only live on with my savings since I am unable to work,” she added.

When asked about her future plans as MCO is announced to extend indefinitely, Lu said that she is planning to explore for new opportunities until manicure services are allowed to operate again.

Lu stated that there are many entrepreneurs like her who are struggling for a living during the MCO.

Sabrina See, 40, housewife with 2 children said that during the MCO, her workload at home increased since her 5 years-old son and her 10 years-old daughter are having online class at home.

“I spend most of my time monitoring both of my children when they are having their online class as they find it very difficult to focus on their teachers at home and I have lesser time to finish my house chores,” said Sabrina.

She also stated that she feels very stressful every time she goes out for grocery shopping as she is afraid that she could bring the Covid-19 virus home which could affect her children, so she started learning online shopping which ease her a lot.

“Never taught that online shopping could be so convenient, I could easily get almost everything I need from the internet, plus there are so much of choices out there, like Shopee and Lazada, prices might even be cheaper online,” she added.

See said that staying at home with her children during MCO strengthen their bonds.

David Chen, 50, a broker in Am Securities Bank. Since the MCO was announced, he started working at home instead of working in the office.

“Dealing with clients are more difficult as we could only communicate through the phone,” said Chen.

Chen also added that he had some difficulties in focusing on his work as he does not have a proper working place in his house to work. He needs to share the space with his family which includes his two sons who needs to have online class.

While talking about Chen’s WFH experience, he stated that the internet connectivity at home is very poor which could easily cause him to miss important phone calls from clients and the poor internet connectivity also affects the video call quality for his meeting with his office colleagues.

Chen stated that a good working environment is very important.

Robert Loh, 60, founder of Restaurant Loh Kee, he stated that his business was not affected by the MCO.

“Although the MCO prohibit dine-in in restaurants, but many customers still order food through delivery services and also take away services,” Loh said.

Loh also held on to the opportunity and cooperate with the delivery apps which helped increase his business. His business was even better during the MCO as delivery apps are giving customers multiple promotions and discounts which increase the orders from his restaurant. Although Loh’s business was not affected, but he also fears that the Covid-19 virus would infect him or his staff since they will have contact with their customers and also the delivery riders every day.

“I sanitized my restaurant four times a day and I also make sure that all of my staff follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) strictly,” he added.

Loh mentioned that their restaurant prioritized the safety of their customers during the MCO.

In a nutshell, we can see that the MCO affects everybody. Some of the effects are positive while some of them are negative. We must only go out while it is necessary to minimize the chance to increase the confirmed case so that we could look forward for the day with mask-free.