Coronavirus: Malaysia warns of ‘tsunami-like’ third wave of infections if lockdown not respected
- Health chief warns public failing to adhere to rules of two-week lockdown could cause a spike in cases
- Malaysians have kept their sense of optimism, using the time to catch up on work, sharpen skills and meet others on the internet
Train stations and roads were largely deserted, with only people employed in “essential services” – including health care and some government-linked agencies – making their way to work, while business at restaurants, allowed to serve only takeaway meals, slowed to a trickle. Supermarkets, which will remain open throughout the two-week lockdown, were also largely quiet with panic buying already having emptied most shelves of items such as milk and toilet paper.
The lockdown requires people to remain at home until the end of March, unless they are purchasing or delivering necessities, seeking health care or performing official duties. Anyone found breaching the order faces up to six months in jail, a fine, or both.
In a televised address on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged all Malaysians to stay at home for their own safety and the safety of others.
“For these two weeks, just stay at home. Spend time with your families. There’s no need to go out anywhere. This way we can control the spread of the coronavirus,” he said.
“Please, just for these two weeks... we want to break the chain of infection.”
Muhyiddin’s address echoed one by the nation’s director-general of health, Noor Hisham Abdullah, who warned Malaysians that if they did not adhere to the restrictions and social distancing the nation could suffer a “tsunami-like” third wave of infections.