KUALA LUMPUR: Is it the right time to consider granting privileges or flexibility to those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19?
Skyrocketing new Covid-19 cases, which reached an all-time high of 17,045 yesterday, have prompted experts to urge the authorities to reconsider such a move.
With active cases nationwide now numbering more than 160,000, some believe that the prudent move would be to wait for the vaccination rate to catch up before reopening sectors.
Associate Professor Dr Malina Osman said it was wise to wait until the vaccination rate had hit at least 40 per cent.
"It is also best to wait until our hospitals are no longer compromised, unlike what we are facing now. This is to safeguard the healthcare system and avoid a possible resurgence of cases," said the Universiti Putra Malaysia epidemiology and biostatistics expert.
She said a safety bubble system should also be in place, allowing only those who are fully vaccinated to work to prevent more infections.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a special media interview, said the government would announce flexibility or special privileges soon for those who had completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccination.
The privileges include allowing long-distance married couples to cross districts or state borders to reunite, as well as the resumption of certain activities, including sports and dining at restaurants.
The flexibility, he said, would bring some relief amid the ongoing pandemic.
Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the flexibility should be given only after there was a steady decline in new cases.
"If we were to go ahead with the relaxation, we are going to have more cases and the Movement Control Order will continue perhaps until next year.
"We don't want that. As such, it is best to revisit the idea after the situation improves."
Dr Zainal Ariffin said the authorities must also take into account several factors before granting flexibility to fully vaccinated people.
He said flexibility should not be given to the Greater Klang Valley for now, which was the epicentre of the pandemic in the country.
Instead, it should be applied only to states with few cases or those in Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan.
"The government must also look at the immunisation coverage in the respective states. At least 30 per cent of the state's population must be inoculated," he said, adding that the interstate travel ban should not be lifted yet.
He also cautioned those who had been fully vaccinated to wait for two weeks for the vaccine to become effective before participating in any public activity.
However, former Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan believed that flexibility was a step in the right direction as fatigue and stress had set in among the public.
"Just confining people to the barracks will create other problems, such as lack of exercise leading to health concerns, lack of communication and interaction leading to stress and emotional problems.
"We need to open up slowly but surely. If privileges and relaxation are not eased in stages, the people will be discouraged from getting vaccinated."
He said as long as people continued to adhere to the SOP, it could help create a safe environment.
He noted that in the United States, more than 90 per cent of those infected and resultant deaths involved the unvaccinated. The situation, he added, was similar worldwide.
"In Malaysia, clusters sprouted regularly because the government opened up too soon without people even having taken their first jab.
"Factories, malls, night markets, Ramadan bazaars, elections and many events were held before the inoculation exercise was in full swing.
"Only now has inoculation gathered in momentum. More people are getting vaccinated and we may reach our target of having 80 per cent of the people vaccinated soon."
He acknowledged that there was currently a rise in cases, but said the trend would shift once the vaccination rate increased.
"Herd immunity should set in despite the variants. As for our healthcare system, it has handled the pandemic for over a year. They are managing the gravest phase of the pandemic now.
"They have gained much experience in handling these cases. This would surely give them added expertise to be able to manage the situation, which should stabilise soon."