The government cares for the people and it does not want them to suffer emotional distress for having to be ‘confined’ for almost two months at home, unable to work and continue earning an income, according to said the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Counselling Centre Director, Dr Fauziah Mohd Sa’ad.

She opined that the government’s action to implement the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) starting today, by resuming economic and social activities, also proved that it cared for the people’s wellbeing.

She said, it was the people’s responsibility to reciprocate the government’s efforts by complying to the conditions and standard operating procedures (SOP) it has set in order to curb the resurgence of COVID-19 during the CMCO.

Under the CMCO, the government allows most business activities to resume operations, in addition to several other activities, subject to strict SOP.

Dr Fauziah advised the public to accept the government’s decision in easing the restrictions for social activities during the CMCO.

“When we take the government’s action positively, then the outcome will be positive, however, if we think negatively, then it will affect our mental health.

“We can take advantage of this easing of restrictions to reduce stress by partaking of activities such as exercising and jogging while still maintaining social distancing,” she told Bernama.

Meanwhile, for renowned fashion designer Datuk Jovian Mandagie, while having mixed feelings towards the government’s decision to implement CMCO, he also felt relieved.

His boutique can now re-open for business, allowing him to continue supporting his family and paying salaries.

“I am responsible to pay salaries of my staff and I don’t have only 20, I have more than 100 workers. I feel bad when we have no income, how will they provide for their families?” he asked.

Jovian said, he would ensure that all his workers and customers follow the SOP for businesses set by the authority.

“No fitting is allowed at the boutique at the moment. Besides limiting the number of customers in the premise at a time, we will also conduct body temperature check for customers and provide them with hand sanitiser and free face masks to prevent infections,” he said.

The designer added that the government must have reached the decision to implement CMCO after extensive discussions with the related ministries, in its efforts to balance between the need to restore the country’s economy and to curb the pandemic.

“We have to accept (this decision) and make do with whatever options that we have. We have to be responsible for ourselves and other people. Leave the house only to go to work and only if necessary, otherwise just stay at home,” he said.

Meanwhile, netizens also shared their views on their responsibilities to ensure that the implementation of the CMCO would help in preventing the transmission of the pandemic.

A Twitter user, @syahirmk wrote: “Since the government (has decided) we have to be smart citizens. Don’t dine-in, don’t go out as you please, don’t do outdoor sports, follow the SOP, keep hands clean, wear masks until we reach zero active cases. Surely we don’t have to wait for law enforcement to think wisely?” he tweeted.

Sharing the same sentiment, @artjxy said: “It’s like now we are between the devil and the deep sea. Financially we are hurting and because of this situation there are among us who lost jobs, their salaries are not being paid, but being cut. This is not an easy decision for the Prime Minister to announce. It is all up to us to comply with the government’s order,” he tweeted. - BERNAMA