KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not return to implementing a total lockdown in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 following the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Health Ministry Khairy Jamaluddin said at the moment, the country will stick to enforcing targeted measures that are calibrated and proportionate in its effort to curb the spread of Omicron into the society.
"Do not mention the 'L' (lockdown) word… We do not mention the 'L' word anymore," he told reporters at a press conference today.
In attendance was Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Khairy was asked to comment if the government was considering enforcing a lockdown in the wake of the increasing Covid-19 cases triggered by the Omicron variant in the country.
"Of course, there will be zero cases in the event the country returns to imposing a lockdown. However, at what cost? The economy of the country as well as the mental health and wellbeing of the people will be affected.
"That is why we do not want to mention the 'L' word. We want to avoid that," he said.
Since Malaysia has gradually reopened its borders, Khairy said the government wants to move forward instead of taking a step back.
"We must respond to the situation with the most effective measures that are not extreme. The response (the country's response to the emergence of new Covid-19 variants) must be calibrated and proportionate.
"If we close down the (country's) borders, it is not a proportionate move," he said.