KUALA LUMPUR: The government has to be careful in its decision to ease restrictions and allow more activities to resume although Malaysia is gearing towards the endemic phase of Covid-19 by the end of next month.

Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who heads the country's Covid-19 response efforts, said this is to ensure that the relaxation of restrictions will not contribute to any further spread of, or subsequent significant increase in, Covid-19 cases.

"What is important here is risk (assessment). We do not want the relaxation and easing of restrictions resulting in major movements among people from high-risk destinations, with the possibility of them carrying the virus and spreading it to other locations deemed as low-risk areas.

"We must be careful before coming to a decision (to ease restrictions) although we cannot run away from the fact that the country is transitioning into the endemic phase (by the end of next month). 

"God willing, we will have a decision on the matter when that time comes," he told reporters here today.

Hishammuddin was asked to comment on his hopes for when the government would lift the interstate travel ban for fully vaccinated people.

He said such considerations and approaches must be applied when the government comes to a decision to allow the reopening of activities and sectors.

"Our main consideration at the moment (when making any decision) is to reopen the sectors safely.

"For example, before we decide to open destinations for tourists, we have to comprehensively look into several matters including the vaccination rate and preparedness of the state, including the capacity of hospitals in the event of untoward incidents (such as surges in the number of cases).

"We must make sure there are enough beds at the Intensive Care Unit for a worst-case scenario. Whatever we do, we will reopen the sectors safely.

"Give us a little bit of time. What is important here is that there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin alluded to the possibility of Kedah and Johor transitioning into Phase Two under the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

"At the moment, there are only two states, namely Kedah and Johor, which are still under Phase One of the NRP. We will wait for the states (to be allowed) to move into the next phase (under the NRP) soon," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/09/729362/government-has-be-careful-easing-restrictions-says-hishammuddin