WHO's new strategy update outlines six factors for countries as they consider lifting restrictions

1. First, that transmission is controlled; 
2. Second, that health system capacities are in place to detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact;  
3. Third, that outbreak risks are minimised in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes; 
4. Fourth, that preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other **places where it’s essential for people to go; 
5. Fifth, that importation risks can be managed; and 
6. Sixth, that communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the “new norm”

Read here (WHO, April 16, 2020)

Malaysia's response to Covid-19 ranked fourth strictest in South East Asia

‘Malaysia's Covid-19 response is the fourth strictest among South-East Asian countries as of Friday, according to the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. Malaysia is ranked fourth in Asean after Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines.

‘A higher position in the Stringency Index, however, does not necessarily mean that a country's response is “better” than others lower on the index, according to the Blavatnik School of Government.

‘The score is based on measurements of seven response indicators. They include policies such as school and workplace closures, travel bans, public event cancellations, public transport closures, public information campaigns and movement restrictions. Other six measures gauged by the tracker include fiscal or monetary measures, investment in vaccines, Covid-19 testing framework and contact tracing measures.’

Read here (The Star, April 12, 2020)

Top physicians pen letter to PM calling for gradual relaxation of MCO

‘The president of the Malaysian Medical Association and 12 predecessors have penned an open letter to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin calling for a gradual relaxation of the movement control order (MCO) measures currently being implemented to combat the spread of Covid-19.’

Read here (Malaysiakini, April 10, 2020)

Health insecurity and its impact on refugees in Malaysia

Refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia have always struggled with a lack of identification and healthcare. How have these issues impacted the Government’s response to Covid-19? What are some of the challenges that will still need to be addressed beyond the MCO?

Read here (ISIS Malaysia, April 10, 2020)

For the record: MMA's open letter to the Rt Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia

This letter, signed by the president of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), and 12 past ones, says ‘a stepwise relaxation of movement control will be the way forward. For instance, businesses may be allowed to operate with strict guidelines on how many people can be on the premises. Public transport may have to operate with limited loads, with frequent disinfection. Solitary public exercise will have to be permitted, to allow for mental and physical health issues. In all cases, strict hand hygiene and physical distancing must be observed, with masks if necessary. Interstate travel may need to be restricted, but will have to be prioritised for economic needs rather than personal.’

Read here (MMA, April 9, 2020)

Exit strategies for Covid-19 a.k.a can life return to normal? — Dr Amar-Singh HSS and Dr Lim Swee Im

‘We are living in a new reality, what I call the “post-coronavirus reality” and we have to learn how we need to change, how we can adapt and survive this reality. We would like to share with you some preliminary ideas and thoughts on exit strategies from a “lockdown”.

They discuss three exit strategies (1) Give up and give in (2) Segregate old people and children/adults with chronic conditions and (3) A more realistic exit strategy which ‘will require us to cooperate and to work together in a way like we have never done so before. Not as individuals but as a responsible family, a nation of sisters and brothers.’

It will require the following: (1) Continue to maintain strict physical (social) distancing as a long term lifestyle (2) Cleaning hands and surfaces must be normative (3) Using masks must become common place (4) Develop rapid response coronavirus teams ('precision quarantine') (5) Availability of mass testing capability (6) Using technology wisely to track contacts (7) All travellers into the country should be screened (8) Waiting for vaccines to arrive and provide immunity to the population

Read here (The Malay Mail, March 30, 2020)

Locked down and locked up: Domestic violence during the pandemic

As the implementation of movement restriction measures disrupts our daily lives, governments are compelled to respond to the high demand for support as domestic violence cases soar in a short period of time. With such measures predicted to last for weeks and even months to come, the urgency to address this issue is unprecedented.

Read here (ISIS Malaysia, March 29, 2020)

Pandemic rules and the law: Shad Saleem Faruqi

‘Those in positions of authority must also remain cognisant of the rule of law dimension. Power is not inherent. It must be derived from the law and its exercise must remain within the four corners of the enabling legislation.

‘From the rule-of-law point of view, an executive order, policy, directive, instruction or scheme does not amount to ‘law’ (and thereby require obedience) simply because of expediency, workability or reasonableness. It must be anchored in and derived from legislation or subsidiary legislation.‘

Read here (The Star, March 26, 2020)