KUALA LUMPUR: Lesser movements of the people and slower business activities during COVID-19 and the imposition of the various levels of Movement Control Orders (MCOs) has brought about significant improvement in environmental quality.

Citing the Department of Environment (JAS), the Economic Outlook 2022 report released by Finance Ministry today stated that the quality of the environment especially air and river water increased significantly during the pandemic (2020) compared to before the pandemic (2019).

"Analysis of the data reveals that in addition to a lesser number of river basins polluted by ammoniacal nitrogen, the number of river basins considered clean from biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids increased significantly in 2020," it read.

The report also highlighted the positive relationship between the restriction in human movements and lesser business activities and the improved environmental quality illustrates the importance of full adherence by industries and businesses to all pollution control measures introduced and implemented by the relevant authorities.

"With continuous improvements undertaken to address underlying issues in various industries such as construction, plantation, manufacturing, and tourism, the nation is set to move in the right direction towards attaining better environmental quality," it said.

In addition, the report also called on all stakeholders to seriously begin adopting a low-carbon economy plan to maintain this momentum.

Also highlighted were the positive impacts of the pandemic from an economic perspective such as reducing high dependence on foreign workers while recommending workers displaced from affected industries such as hospitality and retail, to be redeployed to industries that have seen a surge in labour demand.

The construction industry, which is most affected by COVID-19, is also recommended to intensify the usage of the Industrial Building Systems (IBS), which could help in boosting productivity.

The report also emphasised the need to improve the existing social protection system as well as elevate the level of financial literacy among Malaysians due to the issue of depleting savings for survival, especially in crisis situations.

-- BERNAMA