Implementation of MCO and its shortcomings

What is MCO?

2020 Malaysia Movement Control Order refers to a cordon sanitaire implemented as a preventive measure of the federal government of Malaysia towards the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on 18 March 2020, thus "movement control" was implemented throughout the country.[1]

Flaws in MCO

There are few weaknesses in the implementation of the MCO and how it’s fail to address few critical issues which seriously affecting Malaysian’s daily life.

Shorter Business Operation Hours for Essential Businesses

National Security Council (NSC) could add a new restriction that entail shorter operating hours for markets and eateries.[2] The shorter business operation hours for essential businesses will give indication to people (buyers) to go on that specific period for purchasing, causing high traffic of people on that specific time, queuing long time for their turn to make purchase. This crowd of people increase the chances of getting infected.

Closure of Markets as Non-Compliance with MCO

A public market in Georgetown was closed due to non-compliance with MCO.[3] The forced closure of the market without providing alternatives for the affected people indicates another weaknesses of the implementation of the MCO. First, its failed to foreseen the action taken by the affected people. The people (buyers) will go to another nearest market in another place. This might causing a virus carrier to spread virus from one place to another place. Second, the forced closure of the market affecting the sellers who are doing business there.

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Forgotten Food Supply Chain

The incomplete and failure of the implemented MCO to recognize the importance of certain food supply chain causing disruption on transportation for vegetables and fruit. Massive fresh fruit and vegetables being disposed due to the blockage of transportation to distribute this fruit and vegetables.[4] Indirectly, shortage of food happens and the price of fruit and vegetables increase tremendously.

cONCLUSION

The government failed to see these flaws on the implementation of MCO. The shortcomings of the implementation of MCO if not address immediately will cause anxiety on the people.


#sekian

Sources
[1] https://g.co/kgs/m3B3rx
[2]https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/03/28/nsc-may-announce-fresh-sop-for-mco-tomorrow/1851109
[3]https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/23/penang-to-close-public-markets-not-complying-with-mco
[4] https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/517072