LETTERS: Some of us may be feeling over the moon about interstate travel being allowed after nearly two years of movement restrictions due to the pandemic.
They can plan for holidays to release stress after being confined for so long, visit their parents and relatives whom they have not met for some time.
Some may heave a sigh of relief as economic activity can resume. Economic sectors, especially hotels and the tourism industry, will be revived.
However, it may cause indignation among some as the daily cases are still in the thousands despite the lower figures recently.
We can learn from the Langkawi tourism bubble, which began on Sept 16 this year.
The number of new daily cases was low prior to the opening of Langkawi for tourists. However, the numbers started to spike to more than 100 thereafter.
This implies that we cannot rest on our laurels. This is because people who have been fully vaccinated are still vulnerable to infections.
If interstate travel is allowed, this means that some restrictions will be lifted. All economic activity across the country will resume, meaning states will move to Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan. It is expected that no states will remain in Phase 1 beyond this month.
Numerous activities, including sports, are allowed and night markets will reopen. In addition, students will be back to schools and universities. This will fuel worries anew about the pandemic.
Despite the leeway given to those who have completed their vaccination, it is difficult for the authorities to ensure that only people who are fully vaccinated deserve the privileges.
Nevertheless, anti-vaxxers should not be deprived of their rights. They also need to lead a normal life like others.
Discrimination against them should not be condoned. However, the issue is that they are more likely to be infected, which can put those who are fully vaccinated at risk.
Now, it is easier for us to detect whether we are infected by the virus by using Covid-19 test kits, which are available in most pharmacies. We need not go to clinics or hospitals and wait for several hours or days to know the test results.
If we travel across borders or visit high-risk places, we can carry out the test ourselves. If we contract the virus, we need to follow the guidelines provided by the Health Ministry.
This is the best way to ensure that interstate travel is allowed to restore economic activity and, at the same time, the pandemic can be controlled on the condition that all people assume the responsibility to follow the SOP and guidelines.
RAZINDA TASNIM ABDUL RAHIM
Lecturer, Faculty of Business and Management Science, Kolej Universiti Islam Perlis
DR MOHD SHAHIDAN SHAARI
Senior lecturer, Faculty of Applied and Human Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Perlis
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times