The responsibility of balancing the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and restoring the country's economy must continue to be embraced by individuals in all walks of life.

Thus, the government's decision to extend the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) until June 9, should be used as an opportunity for individuals to continue living by adapting to the new norms.

Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Administrative Science and Policy Studies Faculty, political science expert, Prof Datuk Dr Nasrudin Mohamed said the expanded CMCO was akin to a guide for the people to live with the outbreak until the vaccine for COVID-19 is discovered.

“I think it's time for the responsibility of managing this COVID-19 impact to be jointly tackled by the community and individuals.

"Everyone should take on the responsibility of maintaining personal and family well-being.

"If we rely solely on the CMCO (government effort alone), we are only weakening or further reducing the capability of our human resources and, subsequently, further affecting the economy," he told Bernama.

Today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the CMCO would be extended for another four weeks, until June 9, simultaneously witnessing the prohibition of cross-border movements to celebrate festivals such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, remaining in force.

In the meantime, Nasrudin urged the government to widened approvals for businesses to operate and at the same time prioritise the enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOP).

He said the communities also had to be educated even with coercion, to practice standard safety measures.

“We must accept the fact that the outbreak of the epidemic has to be addressed as part of our daily lives and that we need to change our life’s routines by cultivating safety and protection measures for ourselves and our families. We have no choice but to continue to live and survive prudently,” he said.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association’s (FOMCA) president Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason, among others, urged the government to monitor traders to deter them from taking advantage of the situation such as by imposing high prices during the CMCO extension period.

"We do not want traders to suddenly raise prices on the grounds that not many consumers come out to shop, but FOMCA also wants the government to refine its methods of implementation and providing assistance to the people so that they can accept the benefits without anyone from being left out," he said.

Meanwhile, generally the average social media browser concurred to the CMCO’S extension and positively resigned themselves with celebrating the festivities moderately and complying with the SOP.

A Twitter browser @NasrizalAmmar tweeted: "May the people be patient #We keep our #CMCO #We AreFirmWewin".

@itsmeamiirah, on the other hand, tweeted: “This year no need to stress on the Hari Raya visits. Raya in our own houses. We are worried too if people come en masse to the house for Raya #CMCO ".

Meanwhile, @miz_sumi tweeted: “It’s okay not to go back for Raya this year so we can go back for Raya next year and the next. Be safe and be healthy #MCO #CMCO # COVID-19 ".

-- BERNAMA