By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, Dec 19 — Selangor residents are advised to practise preventive measures and self-control to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection amid the current surge in cases.
State public health advisor Dr Mohammad Farhan Rusli reiterated the importance of self-control measures such as wearing face masks in public places, especially in enclosed, confined and crowded areas.
He said other measures like the practice of TRIIS (test, report, isolate, inform and seek treatment) should be implemented if a person is symptomatic or infected.
“This self-control should be ingrained in the public and embraced as a practice, particularly as we have been educated for three years on the prevention of Covid-19 transmission,” he said when contacted.
“Selangor, in particular, is a densely populated state. Therefore, social distancing is usually limited, especially in enclosed public places like shopping centres.
“Additionally, with the school holiday season, there will be many mass gatherings such as weddings, circumcision events or visits to water theme parks involving many people. So, one must take care of themselves and practise self-control to avoid becoming a Covid-19 statistic.”
Dr Farhan also encouraged high-risk groups, such as individuals aged over 60, non-communicable disease patients, and those with autoimmune disease backgrounds, to take booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“We need to understand that vaccines are a preventive measure, so take them,” he said.
“For parents whose children were previously ineligible for the vaccine and are now eligible due to age, they should arrange for their children to get vaccinated as they are at high risk.”
Previously, state executive councillor for public health Jamaliah Jamaluddin had said in a statement that the Selangor government is expecting a surge in Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks in view of the school holidays that begin last Saturday and Christmas celebration on December 25.
She said these occasions are set to result in a rise in movements and social gatherings, increasing the potential risks of infection.
In this regard, she urged the public to take extra precautionary measures to avoid being infected, including adhering to health guidelines and always practising preventive measures like avoiding crowded places, especially if experiencing symptoms.
The public is also advised to get their primary and booster vaccine doses, particularly high-risk groups.
Meanwhile, in a press conference yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry does not plan to implement any movement restrictions like in the past, despite the sudden increase in Covid-19 cases.
