Shop online, Sabahans told

PUTRAJAYA: Consumers in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and Sabah that have been placed under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) are encouraged to shop online to help break the chain of Covid-19 infections.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi in a statement today said the move can also help limit crowds and the movement of individuals in places such as business premises.

He said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry had received information that there was panic buying in some places after the announcement on the implementation of CMCO by Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was made on Monday.

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 “Malaysians are advised to remain calm and not engage in panic buying as there is sufficient supply of food items and basic necessities in the market,” he said.

Nanta said the ministry would conduct constant monitoring and frequent checks to ensure that supplies are sufficient and traders do not increase their prices indiscriminately.

He also reminded manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to monitor their stock to ensure sufficient daily supply of the items.

Consumers can lodge complaints against errant traders to the ministry by contacting the call centre at 1800 886 8000; the Enforcement Command Centre at 03-8882 6245 / 6088; Malaysia Government Call Centre (MYGCC) at 03-8000 8000 or sending Whatsapp texts to 019- 279 4317.

Complaints can also be lodged by channelling information to [email protected] portal, or sending email to [email protected] or through the Ez ADU smart phone application.

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The CMCO in Sabah takes effect on Oct 13 until 26, while in Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur from Oct 14 to 27.

Meanwhile, the public must comply with the smoking prohibition in addition to the standard operation procedure (SOP) for Covid-19, particularly at eateries and open spaces, to prevent complications from smoking and Covid-19 infection.

“This is to ensure the welfare of oneself and those around,” said Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong in his speech at the National Tobacco Control Conference 2020 held online today.

Chong said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had released a warning that smokers infected with Covid-19 were at a higher risk of getting serious complications. – Bernama

“In the COVID-19 pandemic, the evidence suggests that smoking is associated with increased severity of diseases and death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients,” he added.

Chong said the Health Ministry had gazetted all eateries, whether air-conditioned or not, as non-smoking places under the Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2018 since Jan 1, 2019, but the compliance rate dropped markedly after the introduction of the Movement Control Order.

“There were complaints related to smoking at eateries through the Ministry of Health’s hotline and the complaints received have risen since the Recovery Movement Control Order, enforced since June 10,” he said.

Chong said the Health Ministry was working on strengthening all obligations outlined, including those under Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to protect non-smokers from the dangers of cigarette smoke or any other smoking products.