By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, Aug 9 — Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said that it is crucial that a “crash landing approach” should not be taken in easing restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals following the announcement made by Putrajaya yesterday.
The Selangor Menteri Besar said although Covid-19 vaccines have proven to prevent severe symptoms of coronavirus infections, he said it also depends on the vaccination rate or herd immunity within the community.
“There have been various opinions from health experts that we should not rush on the decisions during this critical period.
“With several new (Covid-19) variants such as the Delta, Delta Plus, and Lambda, which have caused a spike in the number of cases, it is important that we take cautious measures during the last corner to succeed,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook today.
“Although it is difficult for me to say this, it is essential that we persevere a little bit more to win the battle.”
Amirudin had urged the people in Selangor who have yet to receive their appointment to visit the vaccination centres (PPVs) in the state offering walk-in vaccinations.
He had also advised those who have gotten their vaccine doses to remain vigilant and continue adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as using hand sanitisers, avoiding crowded places and wearing face masks.
“Do not be complacent. Take care of yourselves and your families. I am sure that we would be able to get through this difficult challenge.
“I would also like to apologise to the people of Selangor for all the hardships faced, but I promise that we will continue with our efforts to boost the vaccination process to get all of us protected and safeguard our livelihood,” he said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced the ease of restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals, including in the social sector for those who reside in states under Phase Two and above of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), effective tomorrow.
The Federal government had on August 7 set new benchmarks for states to progress from one phase to another phase under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) to include the number of daily hospital admissions of Covid-19 patients.
The new benchmark includes:
- Phase One to Phase Two – daily hospital admissions of symptomatic cases reduced to 6.1 per 100,000 people;
- Phase Two to Phase Three – 3.0 hospital admissions of symptomatic cases per 100,000 population;
- Phase Three to Phase Four – daily hospitalisation of 1.3 per 100,000.
Selangor is currently under Phase One of the NRP.
