EDITORIAL- BANGKOK POST: Don’t let virus guard down

 BANGKOK POST

As the number of new coronavirus cases continues to decline, authorities will be hard-pressed to start easing up on the lockdown.

Indeed, preparations must be made for a return to the “new normal”, but a real let-up must proceed with the utmost caution.

As the Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration suggested, we can never let our guard down while fighting the outbreak.

There is no question when it comes to restarting the economy and allowing people to resume a measure of normalcy. Business disruptions, unemployment and destitution could hurt as many people as the outbreak.

The question is not if, but how and when, the lockdown ends.

The governor of Nonthaburi yesterday led the pack in reopening shopping mall-based mobile and telecom service centres today — two weeks before the end of the month as ordered under the emergency decree.

A statement justifying the move said these services are necessary for people’s livelihoods, while these shops have not been found to be hotbeds of Covid-19. Reopening them should make people’s lives easier, while preparing them for an eventual post-pandemic life.

As noted in the governor’s order, the reopened services have to observe strict preventive measures to ensure social distancing and mitigate the possibility of physical contact.

Customers and service providers, for example, are required to wear face masks. If they are in an enclosed space, they will have to wear face shields as well.

Customers have to be screened before entering premises. Hand-washing stations or hand sanitiser must be provided. No waiting zones will be allowed. If there is to be a queue, customers will be required to make a prior appointment for the service.

A special lane must also be provided for customers over 60 years of age.

These requirements come on top of regular cleaning and sanitisation. These actions will inevitably become new social norms, an indispensable part of daily activities which we will all have to get used to.

The reopening of mobile and telecom services may appear minimal, especially since the governor earlier declared more shops would reopen, including hair salons, furniture outlets and electronic goods stores, before rescinding the order.

The reversal reaffirms the sensitivity of the situation. The number of new cases may have come down but that trend is only a week old. It is way too soon for the authorities or the public to become complacent.

The country is still in the middle of a crisis. The need to stay vigilant remains as crucial as ever.

An exit strategy is a complicated and intricate exercise. It must take into account all relevant aspects of the crisis and ensure that the complex needs are balanced as the strict rules are gradually eased.

It is not just about reopening the economy but redesigning new ways of living. Priority must be given to ensuring there will be no second wave of infections, while restoring people’s rights to move around and helping businesses continue their operations or find new models if they can’t carry on.

Covid-19 has completely reshaped the world within the relatively short span of a few months. It’s likely the outbreak will continue for many more months, if not years to come. This lockdown will not go on forever. But it will take careful planning and thoughtful consideration of all the relevant factors, be they economic, social or psychological, before we can think about lowering our guard.