A joint statement by Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (PPK), Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Bumiputra Retailers Organisation (BRO), Malaysia REIT Managers Association (MRMA), and Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Attractions (MATFA) addressed the effectiveness of the nationwide lockdown, even in green zones that have few and controlled numbers of Covid-19 cases.
The associations stated that the lockdowns should be determined based on locality and neighborhoods that are infected with significant clusters and not penalizing areas that are at low risk. Economic sectors that have strictly abided by the SOPs maintained a low-risk environment should be encouraged to continue to avoid unnecessary economic damage. In doing so, shopping malls, retail operators, and business outlets will be able to operate in many low-risk states.
Realizing the damage the lockdown costs to the economy, Singapore has adopted a lighter approach to curbing the pandemic by avoiding the “zero transmission” model. It is an approach that faces the reality that Covid-19 may never go away, but it is possible to live with it normally through high vaccination rates. The goal here is to turn the pandemic into something less threatening, such as chickenpox or influenza. Expected to vaccinate two-thirds of the entire Singapore population by 9 August 2021, as more people get vaccinated, Singapore will also monitor daily Covid-19 infections differently. Similar to influenza infections, only severe cases will be monitored while allowing infected people to recover at home. With this in mind, it begs the question – could Malaysia adapt to a similar approach?
With the retail and shopping sectors contributing just about 0.8% out of all Covid-19 cases since May 2021 because of their strict compliance to the SOPs, the associations claim that shopping areas are safe for the public. Only staff with the low-risk status on their MySejahtera app, and temperatures not exceeding 37.5oC are allowed to enter the vicinity, making it a “green bubble” for all.
Having contributed significantly to Malaysia’s GDP, it can’t be denied that it is important to preserve the performance of the retail industry and shopping mall industry. The World Health Organisation warned against lockdowns because of its capability of inflicting extreme economic damage, especially for those in the lower-income group; thus, a more pragmatic and flexible approach towards dealing with the pandemic must be performed.
“All the periodic lockdowns will not vanquish Covid-19 and its numerous mutations but the key to controlling it is a vaccination for herd immunity. We have to accept that it will remain part of our lives and move forward as the economy cannot afford to remain closed continually, otherwise we foresee that almost 500,000 employees engaged in the shopping mall and retail industries will eventually be laid off. With these massive lay-offs, business failures, and shop closures including mega shopping malls and retail brands, the industry may never recover,” it stated.
Hence, the associations appeal to the Government to allow the retail sector which is at low/no risk to reopen immediately, particularly the shopping malls and retail shops (including street-front shops, indoor playland, and family entertainment attractions) with strict adherence to the SOPs.
