PETALING JAYA: Take a look around you and chances are you’ll spot someone with his mask pulled down, people crowding around in groups, or eateries not checking the vaccination status of their patrons.

       Communications executive Chloe Yong said she has often observed how the public has slacked off when it comes to complying with thestandard operating procedure at supermarkets and shopping malls.

       “I have seen people who did not follow the physical distance requirements. And they were not properly wearing their face masks,” she added.

       Yong, 25, a frequent user of public transport, found that passengers often had to squeeze inside the bus, thus making physical distancing impossible.

       “In some situations, the drivers were not wearing face masks properly,” she said.

       She said the authorities must continue to monitor and be strict about SOP compliance among the public as well as service providers.

       “It may be a nuisance to some people, but it is necessary. The public should continue to follow the SOP despite the relaxations given,” said Yong, who lives in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

       A sales executive, who only wanted to be identified as “Rama”, said that people should spend less time at enclosed spaces such as shopping malls and indoor restaurants.

       “As long as they follow the proper guidelines, it should be fine, but one must be responsible and always be wary of the risks of infection especially when indoors,” said Rama, 30.

       Junior executive Aishah Hakim, 25, who had travelled from Kuala Lumpur to her hometown in Segamat, Johor said she had seen instances of travellers who did not check in with their MySejahtera app when they entered a premises.

       This would make contact tracing harder should there be any infection, she added.

       “I think most people are experiencing ‘SOP fatigue’, hence, their attitude,” she said.

       Aishah said people should always observe the guidelines for the safety of the community as a whole, regardless of the number of infections.

       “Everyone has to comply with the SOP, whether the current situation and statistics are encouraging or not,” she added.

       Malaysia’s infectivity rate (R0) went up to 1.0 on Nov 11, five weeks after interstate travel was allowed.

       On Saturday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham said that interstate travel itself was not the cause of the rise, but the difficulties came about when people congregated in enclosed spaces, gathering in close proximity.