Hot Issue #whats4lunch by ACTnow

Aug 15, government today lifted restrictions for 11 types of economic activities under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). Car washes, barbershops and hair salons, furniture outlets, vehicle accessory shops, and clothing and jewellery and fashion accessories stores are among the businesses that can reopen on Aug 16 with two key conditions.

But what are the SOPs you have to follow? 

Special Guest with Prof Dr Shamsul on Para-athletes, who himself has once represented Malaysia in Table Tennis and been involved with Paralympics since the 90s. How would the current Head of Classification of Badminton World Federation help us dive deeper into this world where many are oblivious to?

Covid-19 vaccination certificates in the form of physical cards are already being sold via online marketplaces. A doctor to question how the authorities would be able to ascertain the authenticity of such cards. Aug 10, digital certificates “confirming” that an individual has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 vaccine are being sold by irresponsible parties via social media. If the public is allowed to make a vaccine certificate identity card or print the vaccination certificate themselves, how can the authorities know between the genuine and the fake?

A total of 13,893 children aged 17 and below in Negeri Sembilan have contracted Covid-19 since last year until now (Aug 8, 2021). Majority of the children tested positive for Covid-19 were at stage one and two, while two children had died from the viral infection in this state. May 31, over 82,000 children have tested positive for Covid-19 in Malaysia, says Health Minister - 19,851 cases were children below the age of four, with 8,237 cases involving those aged five to six. July 14, eight-month-old baby becomes Malaysia’s youngest known Covid-19 victim.

Aren't these children the real victims?

According to Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), the financial stress faced by Malaysians since the pandemic began in the country last year has gone up some 35%. More than half (65%) of Malaysian working adults reported that financial stress has affected their job performance. Two out of three Malaysian employees have reported high levels of stress due to financial situations, working arrangements and not having the right enablement and support on a daily basis. How do Malaysian go through this?

Two economists said The number of Malaysians becoming bankrupt and the number of companies closing down or winding up may increase when the current moratorium on bank loans ends. The loan moratorium allows financially-distressed borrowers but there could be more bankruptcies once the moratorium period ends. Will Malaysia economy be okay even after post Covid-19 era?

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that COVID-19 restrictions will be eased from 10 August (Tuesday) onwards for those who are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals will soon be allowed the freedom to carry out selected previously disallowed activities upon flashing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certification. What are your thoughts on it?

Health Ministry has released a list of Covid-19 self-test kits that have received conditional approval for import and distribution in the country. The test kits can be sold at registered community pharmacies or health facilities. Are they actually affordable or even effective?

Some businesses claimed they were operating at a loss due to exorbitant delivery charges and hidden fees. Food vendors have been complaining on food delivery platform about fees and charges they allege were not clearly explained. These small businesses are finding difficulties to survive, should these corporations continue to make all the profits?

Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT 3) construction site in Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang collapsed. A Bangladeshi construction worker was killed, three Bangladeshi men and an Indonesian man suffered minor injuries. What are your thoughts on it? Should this happen?