Azlan Othman

As the nation sees a spike in COVID-19 outbreak, many premises are implementing body temperature checks as a precautionary measure to protect visitors and the public in general.

Members of the public are seen wearing face masks at shopping malls for protection and cultivating the hand-washing habit, which is a crucial practice that must be observed in the face of the global outbreak.

Posters showing guidelines in washing hands are also seen in office premises and eateries.

Some are placed at high-foot traffic areas in an attempt to educate food handlers and the public in general.

Eateries throughout the nation have seen a significant drop in customers as most people are reluctant to visit public places. Aside from ensuring health safety, it could be seen as a positive as the public is adapting “sensible precaution”, and that more families are bonding and connecting over homemade meals.

Meanwhile, online food and grocery delivery services are also seeing an uptick in demands. An established coffee outlet is offering 15 per cent off on deliveries until the end of the month, while a fast food outlet has closed its door for dine-in temporarily.

No one can be certain when the COVID-19 outbreak will be over, but it is certainly forcing some changes in people’s habits pertaining to good hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water as well as wearing face masks.

“My son sings birthday songs two times when washing his hands at the mosque during the Friday prayer as instructed by his school teacher,” said a father of three.

A number of corporate and government offices have adopted stringent measures like making hand sanitisers available on every floor and subjecting employees and visitors to daily temperature checks.

A visitor at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital who had an appointment yesterday said he saw a doctor clasping both hands together when greeting. It can be a good thing to start, he said.

Government authorities are urging people to remain calm, only seek out verified news and information and to not feel overwhelmed and panicked.

Rumours and misinformation can destabilise all the government’s plans. Therefore, having access to appropriate information is of utmost importance in the current situation.