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[title]COVID 19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) has been described as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation, which means that it has spread across six continents. We are all aware of it, discussing it non-stop and the media is packed with news and information. There’s also a lot of misinformation and we must understand that our first line of defence in a situation like this is having the correct knowledge.
Follow official guidelines, remain calm, practise social distancing and good hygiene, stay home and be aware of what the symptoms are. If we all ‘obey the rules’ collectively for once, this situation will ease with time. For now catch up on all those things you wanted to but never had the time for, binge on those series, overindulge your children, spring clean, keep fit, water your plants, argue with your teens, experiment in the kitchen, work – whatever gets you and the rest of us through this.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. It was first identified in Wuhan, China and as of May 8th, there are 3,917,991 cases across 209 countries / areas / territories and 270,740 confirmed deaths and recovered 1,344,265.
Common symptoms include fever, continuous dry cough, fatigue, aches and pains.
Other symptoms include shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, headache.
For more information:
World Health Organisation (WHO)
How will COVID-19 affect your daily life in Kuala Lumpur?
The fifth phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) has commenced and is known as the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). This phase has been initiated due to the flattening of the curve with regards to new Covid-19 cases and is in effect from now till 12 May.
Restrictions have been amended as follows:
- There is no longer a 10km travel restriction except for areas which are under an Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO)
- A maximum of four people are allowed in a car provided they are all from the same household
- Taxis and e-hailing vehicles can have a maximum of two passengers
- Funerals can have a maximum of 20 attendees
- Public transport must follow social distancing rules and have a set number of passengers
- Malaysian citizens / permanent residents and expatriates returning from abroad must undergo health checks upon arrival
Prohibited activities:
- Any activity – entertainment, leisure, recreational – that may cause a crowd to gather
- Religious, cultural and arts events
- Any business activity that may cause a crowd to gather
- Hairdressers, barber shops, beauty salons
- Cosmetic testing in shops
- Trying on clothes in fitting rooms
- Cruise ship activities, tourism services and services at accommodation premises
- Sales and marketing of the financial services industry and banking outside their premises or public places
- Any commercial sales and marketing outside business premises or public places except for food business conducted in food courts, stalls, hawker centres.
The reason for the MCO is obvious – stay home, flatten the curve, ease the rapid spread of the virus. If we do not comply and cases keep increasing, the MCO can be extended and a total lockdown implemented.
Stay home, be kind to one another, keep safe and don’t panic buy toilet roll!
Note: The Movement Control Order has been extended till 12 May, 2020.