IPOH: Most members of the public are in support of the extension to Phase One of Movement Control under the National Recovery Plan, with many calling for vaccinations to be sped up at the same time.

       Planner Hezeryn Rose Hussein, 44, said with the high daily Covid-19 numbers, it was best to continue with the movement restrictions and for non-essential staff to continue working from home due to workplace clusters.

       “It’s good that the vaccination programme is moving along but that’s still no reason for us to relax on following the standard operating procedure. It will also be good for the police to have random checks in the neighbourhoods to curb people from hanging out at playgrounds and fields,” she said.

       However, Hezeryn said she feels that with people working from home and schoolchildren studying online, computer and electrical shops should be allowed to operate.

       Housewife N. Redika Kanarasan, 45, said it was a good thing that Phase One had been extended as there was still an alarming number of Covid-19 cases.

       “Vaccination is going at good speed and it should not slow down. Only essential services should be allowed to operate,” she added.

       Describing the extension as a “good decision”, self-employed V. Radhakrishnan, 66, urged the government to speed up vaccinations, especially in the manufacturing sector.

       “The faster the vaccination process, the sooner the economy can recover,” he said.

       Housewife Seema Yadav, 40, said although the number of cases had gone down a little since Phase 1 was implemented on June 1, there had been no drastic reduction.

       “What’s more important now is for people to get vaccinated, and to focus on the target groups, especially those working in factories,” she said.