The reopening of more sectors and the many freedoms given to the public will all go to waste if it were abused and the people continue to cross the line and defy all the rules and regulations under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).

The rules and regulations were set not just to curb the spread and ensure that the country recovers from COVID-19, but also aimed at combating criminal activities and traffic violations.

Among the freedom given under RMCO which took effect on July 10 was the freedom to travel interstate.

But what happened to “adapting to new normal and self-control” when in just eight days (as of yesterday) under the RMCO, 80,950 traffic summonses were already issued to motorists across the country?

Today, most restaurants are no longer required to limit the number of their dine-in customers.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday also gave the green light to parents to take their children to shopping malls and restaurants subject to full compliance with the stipulated standard operating procedure (SOP).

In Sabah, all cinemas, as well as beauty and health salons had also been allowed to resume operations from yesterday, while in Melaka, the state government had agreed to approve 100 new sites for morning markets, open markets, night markets, and bazaars during the RMCO to help small traders and boost the state's economy.

In Kedah, almost 90 per cent of its tourism sector, including in Langkawi, had also been allowed to reopen.

However, all these freedoms do not mean that the country is free from COVID-19.

In fact, while we breathe a sigh of relief, local transmissions of COVID-19 among Malaysians has actually shown an increase even with just a single digit.

According to Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, seven new cases involving Malaysians were reported as of noon yesterday compared to four on Tuesday and three on Monday.

So, despite the many freedoms given, everyone is still required to maintain the safe practice, adapt the new normal, and exercise self-control to ensure that the country could fully recover from COVID-19, and no one should cross the line. - BERNAMA