KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians have accepted the fact that the new norm is here to stay, and they will not object to an extension of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) beyond Aug 31.

Lee Shi Ying, 25, an intern at a non-governmental organisation in Penang, said the pandemic had led her to change her lifestyle, especially when it came to ordering food.

"Before the Movement Control Order (MCO), I did not use food delivery apps since I felt more comfortable using cash to make payments. But now, I use the apps often.

"Previously, I used to recycle food containers and plastic bags after I bought food, but since the pandemic began, I just throw them away," she said, adding she was concerned about how the virus could remain on surfaces.

She was commenting on Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba's remarks on Sunday that the ministry was recommending to the National Security Council to extend the RMCO beyond Aug 31.

Nurul Amalina Ahmad Zulkifli, 26, a preschool teacher from Puchong, Selangor, has been going through a rough patch since the MCO began in March.

"My husband's work as a badminton coach requires him to travel overseas a lot. But due to the closure of borders, his income has been badly affected.

"We make up for that by doing a part-time business in addition to our full-time jobs."

However, she agrees that extending the RMCO beyond Aug 31 was a good move.

"By extending the RMCO, people will not become complacent."

French language lecturer Tan Wen See, 30, of Kuala Lumpur, said the RMCO should be extended.

"Although all my classes are conducted online, I have to do more documentation work now.

"Still, I feel the RMCO must be extended to ensure the public take precautions since new Covid-19 cases are reported daily and new clusters are emerging." 

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/619168/malaysians-resigned-extension-rmco