This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 11, 2021 - October 17, 2021

As at Oct 7, 89.1% of Malaysia’s adult population has been fully vaccinated, bringing the country within a hair’s breadth of the 90% mark, when interstate borders can be opened. 

Malaysia has done well in getting Covid-19 vaccines into the people’s arms, making it one of the countries in Asia with the highest vaccination rates. 

Expectations are high that the 90% target will be achieved over the weekend, to be followed by the lifting of the ban on interstate travel.

Many are looking forward to this as they can be reunited with family members and friends not seen for months. For others, they can head for the long-delayed holiday at the beach or mountains. 

And tourism players can heave a sigh of relief with the return of domestic holidaymakers. 

Now that almost 90% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated, everyone must get used to the idea of living with SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19. We have to accept the fact that it has become endemic and carry on with a new way of living.

That’s not to say we should disregard the precautions taken in the last 18 months to stave off the disease in order to protect lives.The loss of lives is a tragedy. 

However, the restrictions and shutdowns have also been devastating in terms of loss of income and jobs. The toll the pandemic has taken on the people’s mental health should not be discounted either. 

Living with Covid-19 will still include regular testing, masking and social distancing with the necessary SOPs. Eventually, all sectors will have to be reopened, as well as sports and social events.

Offices should also see more workers returning, which will in turn support the F&B industry, especially restaurants, cafés and eateries located in business centres that were emptied out during the various lockdowns.

The risk of outbreaks is of course ever present and health authorities must remain vigilant, but the hope remains that with mass vaccination and new methods of treatment, such as the Merck Covid pill, deaths and serious illness can be avoided and, in time, Covid-19 will be just like the flu. 

As the country moves into the endemic stage, Malaysians must take note and embrace the new reality.

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