KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said that the enforcement of a blanket movement control order (MCO) may not be needed in the future, thanks to the implementation of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
The Prime Minister said that the government’s strategy to curb the spread of Covid-19 will involve a more targetted approach based on science and data to reduce the negative impact on the country’s economic activities.
“Movement control will only be enforced according to locality and focused only on clusters involved,” he said in his special announcement on the Strategic Programme to Empower People and the Economy (Pemerkasa) worth RM20 billion broadcast on television today.
The targetted approach is among 20 strategic initiatives under Pemerkasa and is grouped under the programme’s first focus, to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Muhyiddin also touched on the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme that officially began on February 24, aimed to provide free immunisation to around 80 per cent of residents in Malaysia, both locals and foreigners.
He said that under the Pemerkasa, the government has also agreed to increase the allocation to RM5 billion from RM3 billion previously to achieve herd immunity by December this year, faster than the initial target of the first quarter of next year.
“To achieve this target, 15,000 workers will be stationed at almost 950 vaccination centres across the country.
“Taking into consideration the increase of tasks, the government has agreed to extend the Covid-19 Special Assistance of RM200 a month to civil servants involved in the immunisation programme at vaccination centres,” he said, adding that over 300,000 people have received the first vaccine shot so far.
Meanwhile, in line with the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021, the prime minister said that stricter standard operating procedures (SOP) and transparent law enforcement will continue to be implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19, as well as protecting workers.
Under the new ‘Safe@Work’ initiative, which will be open for registration on April 1, the government agreed to give additional tax deduction on the rental of premises and worker hostels to participating companies.
Muhyiddin explained that the voluntary programme under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) required the participating companies to provide conducive workplaces and accommodation for their workers.
“Expenses that qualify for the additional tax deduction is limited to RM50,000 for each company registered with Miti and passed the Safe@Work compliance audit.
“Companies registered with Miti for this programme will be allowed to operate under the conditions where close contact workers are isolated from the local community and other workers by placing them in a ‘Safe work bubble’ until all workers are confirmed safe,” he said.
In addition, Muhyiddin said employers who arrange Covid-19 screening tests for their workers will also qualify for an additional tax deduction for the costs incurred till December 31.
— Bernama
