KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should continue staying at home, even voluntarily, to help break the Covid-19 chain on infection.

Former Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan said it was imperative for the people to observe the 'voluntary lockdown', as the battle against Covid-19 was far from over.

"The chain of infection has to be broken. If you see the pattern of clusters, it is always (formed) where people meet, (which is usually at) malls, bazaars and events among others.

"I hope that 'going out only if needed' should be the mantra to follow," he said. 

Dr Tharmaseelan was responding to calls for voluntary lockdown to break Covid-19 virus transmission.

Earlier today, the Alliance of Safe Community (Ikatan) urged the people to rally behind health frontliners by observing a voluntary lockdown.

Ikatan chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said a sharp increase in the number of positive cases had placed the country's health system at breaking point with hospitals in the Klang Valley running out of beds at Intensive Care Units (ICU).

He said the voluntary lockdown only for two weeks would help to bring down the curve and help the health authorities cope with the situation.

Describing the porposal would put the country on the right track, Dr Tharmaseelan said it was also in line with similar calls by the Health Ministry.

Six districts in Selangor; Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat, and Sepang were placed under the Movement Control Order starting May 6 to 17.

Also placed under MCO were Kuala Lumpur, which began on May 7 until 20.

Yesterday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in order to win the fight against the virus, cooperation is needed from everyone, especially in adhering to the standard operating procedures at all times.

He said compliance is key and called for everyone not to be complacent during these difficult times.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/689082/go-voluntary-lockdown-ex-mma-head-tells-malaysians