Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SARS-CoV-2 known as Coronavirus (COVID-19) was originally breakouts from
Wuhan, Hubei province of China last year (Andersen, Rambaut, Lipkin, Holmes, &
Garry, 2020; Medicine & Andersen, 2020). In 31st of Dec 2019, the World Health
Organization has been alert by China authorities of the COVID-19 outbreak. It was
an epidemic at initially that spread to more than 70 other countries but soon after that
it became a pandemic of COVID-19. COVID-19 is an infectious disease that spreads
mainly through droplet of saliva or the discharge of an infected person through cough
or sneezes (Symptoms, 2020). There are a number of symstoms that cause by the
virus such as fever, cough and breathing difficulty. Novel Coronavirus(CoV) is from
the family of virus that can cause various of illness from a normal flu to a worst
disease like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV and this novel coronavirus is refer to a new
species that haven’t found by human. The disease also can spread through physical
contact with the things and areas that had been use and touch by an infected
person. Until now there are no specific vaccines or treatments for the disease so the
WHO ( 2020) advised the local public health to take social measures to slow or stop
the COVID-19 infection spread in implementation with full engagement from all
members of society and always take care of our hygiene such as washing hands or
using the alcohol hand sanitizer and not to touch our face. By doing so we can slow
down the transmission of the virus and eventually stop the transmission while there
are no vaccines and treatments that available for the virus.
It was reported that there are three cases in Malaysia from Sabah (2 cases) and
Selangor (1 case) that are to be suspect infected by COVID-19 on 23 rd January. It
turns out that the cases in Sabah to be negative. Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad
confirm that the first and the initial cases of COVID-19 that involved three citizen of
China that came to Malaysia from Singapore on 23 rd January. On 31st January,
WHO declared COVID-19 a global health emergency. From that the cases of
COVID-19 in Malaysia had been increased day by day.
From the table, above shown that accumulative cases until 21 st April are 5,482
(4.74%) cases from the total of sample individual at 115,662 people. The number of
recovered and discharge cases are at 3,349 (61.09%) while the other 2,041(37.23%)
cases being treated in the hospital around the country. There are 43 (0.78%) cases
that need Intensive Care and being treated in the ICU. There are cases that needed
irespiratory aids and there are around 27 (0.49%) cases that being incubated. Other
than that, the number of death that cause by COVID-19 are 92 (1.68%) cases.
From the graph, we can see that after Malaysian authority implement the Movement
Control Order (MCO) the curves of active cases had went down and the curves of
discharge cases had went up. Although the cumulative cases increase steady day by
day this is a good sign that the MCO is effective to break and slowdown the chain
and transmission of the virus.
Movement Control Order (MCO)
On 16 March 2020, The Prime Minister announced the Movement Control Order
(Council, 2020). The MCO took place from 18 March to 31 st March this year to
prevent the transmission of novel coronavirus from rapidly spread. Soon after that,
the restriction is extend to 28 April due to the increasing number of cases that is
concerning and threatening the country. The implementation of MCO restrict the
people from gathering more than 10 people or mass gathering except to meet the
basic requirements. Other than that the authority advice that people should practice
social distancing from other people so that they aren’t easily infected by the virus.
There are many industries that effected by the MCO except for the important sector
that needed to ensure the supply of essential needs are adequate and are not cut off
within country during MCO. The companies approved to operate must comply with
some requirements.
The Requirement authority stated are:
I. The Company must reduce the number of employees to a minimum or at
least 50% of the current or registered amount, for withdrawal within the period
of the Movement Control Order (CPP). Companies must establish a home-
work system for workers not involved in critical manufacturing activities.
II. The company is required to meet the demands and requirements of the
product or service for the local market completely.
III. The company must submit to MITI the list of workers involved during the CPP
period and ensure that the movement of workers is restricted from home to
factory / premises.
IV. Companies should provide body temperature adjustments, and take daily
body temperature readings at the factory / premises entrance. Readings per
employee should be recorded and kept for reference.
V. If body temperature is found to be below normal, the company should contact
the nearest Government Health Office or Hospital.
VI. All employees must adhere to the COVID-19 prevention procedures
prescribed by MOH issued from time to time.
VII. The company shall provide hand sanitizer at the entrance and other relevant
places within the factory / premises, and ensure the use of face masks by
each employee.
VIII. The company must conduct a disinfection sanitation process at the factory /
premises before each shift or operation begins.
IX. The sanitation and cleaning process should be carried out three (3) times a
day especially in common spaces such as the lobby, elevator, cafeteria,
meeting rooms, prayer rooms, bus / staff transport and indoor recreation
center.
X. The company must ensure that the employee's vehicle undergoes a thorough
sanitation and disinfection process before use.
XI. Companies should ensure that social distancing best practice guidelines are
in place and are implemented particularly in production floor areas; cafeteria /
cafeteria; meeting rooms; multipurpose hall.
XII. In the event of an employee being infected with COVID-19, the company is
responsible for the full costs of medical expenses, the process of
decontamination, and other related costs.
XIII. The Government would like to emphasize that this approval can be revoked
and revoked if the conditions specified by the company / industry are not
complied with.
XIV. The Government reserves the right to amend the above conditions subject to
the current circumstances.
Due to this the economy within the country had slowdown. This is not got it take
longer to fight the pandemic. In encountering this, the authority had unveiled the
PRIHATIN Stimulus Package (ESP) for the economic in the country to flow fluidly.
Andersen, K. G., Rambaut, A., Lipkin, W. I., Holmes, E. C., & Garry, R. F. (2020).
The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2. Nature Medicine, 26(April), 450–452.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0820-9
Council, N. S. P. M. O. (2020). Movement Control Order : FAQ & Info The Movement
Control Order has been announced by The Prime Minister. 1–10.
Medicine, N., & Andersen, K. (2020). The COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has a
natural origin, scientists say. Scripps Research, 19–21. Retrieved from
https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2020/20200317-
andersen-covid-19-coronavirus.html
Symptoms, O. P. (2020). Coronavirus. 19–22.
WHO. (2020). #Covid19 Coronavirus Disease 2019: Situational Report 72.
DroneEmprit, 2019(April), 1–19. Retrieved from
https://pers.droneemprit.id/covid19/
