According to the body representing the medical experts, the government should instead look for other alternative avenues in wanting to break the COVID-19 chain in the country.
“We urge the government to explain the scientific approach behind the decision to implement CMCO in the Klang Valley, Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Terengganu, although the value of R-naught (R0) is seen to improve.
"We also urge the government to increase data sharing with researchers, health professional organizations and other official bodies who may be able to support them in the fight against COVID-19.
"Transparency will not only enable scientists to better understand COVID-19 in Malaysia, but will also strengthen public trust and enhance compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs)," AMM said in a statement today.
Elaborating further, AMM explained, the R0 value or rate of infectivity which is the basic metric to the government's decision to enforce CMCO has decreased from 2.2 in early September to 0.95 on November 9.
"The change in the indication shows that, although the infection rate is quite high as still seen in Sabah, Selangor and Penang, but the infection can be overcome well and there are no signs of an increase in cases," added AMM.
AMM further explained, based on the 14-day infection rate from October 21 to November 3, many states should not be subjected to stricter MCO.
Based on statistics, Negeri Sembilan recorded a higher rate of infection than at the national level, while Kedah, Perak, Terengganu, Johor and Melaka were relatively low.
In this regard, AMM stressed that there are other measures to curb and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 without implementing CMCO.
Therefore, AMM urges the government to continue with other strategies and return with the implementation of Recovery MCO.
Earlier, the government announced that CMCO would be expanded to seven more states in the Peninsula except Pahang, Perlis and Kelantan for four weeks, from November 9 to December 6.
