By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, April 23: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing agrees that businesses may open provided social distancing can be strictly adhere to.
He emphasised that until a vaccine is found, the most effective measure to curb Covid-19 now is social distancing.
“Covid-19 requires proximity between human beings to enable it to spread very fast and kill people. Until a vaccine is found, we need to cut the chain of spread. Isolation is the only known way to cut the chain of Covid-19 from infesting other fellow human beings.
“Thus social distancing is a must, either it is three feet or six feet (apart), to stop the coronavirus from spreading from one person to the next.
“Therefore, the re-opening of any business premises, must allow for social distancing to be effective, either in restaurants, hotels, coffee shops or in other business premises,” Masing told DayakDaily.
As a general principle, however, he believed that safety should come before businesses.
“If we can’t manage effective social distancing, I suggest we don’t open those business premises, or the Covid-19 spread (sic) will spike and we will start all over again.
“Better be safe than sorry. Don’t let the tinkle (sic) of the coins take precedence over the beat of the heart.”
Masing at the same time, advocated that businesses or economic activities which are generally able to operate within in the context of social distancing be allowed to run.
“…other businesses where social distancing can be managed like construction works and agricultural activities in green zones as well as fishing, and other office work should be open.
“By doing so, slowly we will open our economy and bring our lives back to normalcy,” Masing opined. — DayakDaily
