BACHELOR OF NURSING SCIENCE WITH HONOURS

SEMESTER SEPTEMBER / 2021

OUMH1203

ENGLISH FOR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

NO. MATRIKULASI :
NO. KAD PENGENALAN :
NO. TELEFON :
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PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN : PULAU PINANG LEARNING CENTRE

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 CONTENT PAGE

Task 1: 2
1. Essay outline
Task 2: 3-6
1. Introduction

2. Discussion on pros of opening non-essential business 7-9

3. Discussion on the cons of opening non-essential business 10

4. Conclusion 11

5. References 12-13

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Task 1:
Introduction:
- What is Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
- Where is this virus from (start from China)
- When started (December 2019)
- Which country affected (worldwide including Malaysia)
- How is the transmission (respiratory droplets)
- MCO in Malaysia, what is the lists of essential and non-essential services allow to operate
at the time when cases are at its height
- Thesis Statement:
There are advantages and disadvantages for allowing non-essential services to operate during
the peak of the Covid epidemic. Allowing non-essential services to continue has the
advantage of not causing economic damage to the country, resulting in fewer individuals
experiencing financial hardship and a lower unemployment rate. Meanwhile, due to the
drawbacks of permitting non-essential services to run, the government is having difficulty
flattening its Covid-19 infection curve, preventing a calamity, overburdening healthcare
institutions, and additional lives loss.

Body:
1. Pros of allowing non-essential services to operate:
a) Not putting the country's economy at jeopardy
b) There are fewer people who are in financial difficulty
c) Decrease in the unemployment rate

2. Cons of allowing non-essential services to operate:

a) Having a hard time flattening the Covid-19 infection curve
b) Healthcare facilities are overburdened
c) More lives loss

Conclusion:
- There are gains and losses if allowing non essential services to operate during peak of the
pandemic
- Balacing both gains and losses
- Suggest strengthening SOP enforcement and raising awareness

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Task2:
1.
A pneumonia-like ailment with an unknown aetiology was detected in China's Hubei
Province in December 2019, leading to a massive outbreak and a statewide lockdown. The
infection was later identified as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, a new
coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a virus that causes mild,
moderate, and severe sickness, with severe illness manifesting as severe pneumonia, ARDS,
sepsis, and septic shock. COVID-19 was thought to have started as an animal-to-human virus
that then spread to humans by respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, as well as
long-term exposure to high aerosol concentrations in confined spaces. On the 30th of January
2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed the outbreak a public health
emergency of international concern (PHEIC), then on the 11th of March 2020, WHO
classified COVID-19 to be a pandemic (Sazali et al., 2021).
Malaysia was not immune to the spread of the disease. Malaysia has issued the Movement
Control Order (MCO), which prohibits large movements and gatherings, foreign and
interstate travel, the closure of all educational institutions, and the provision of non-essential
government and commercial services. Malaysian nationals were also encouraged to stay at
home to prevent coming into contact with sick people, which is a key step in breaking the
COVID-19 infection chain (Sazali et al., 2021).
As a preventative measure to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the
Movement Control Order went into effect on March 18, 2020. Except for those classified as
"Essential Services," most businesses were obliged to close their doors for the time being as a
result of the Order (Cheah & Lim, 2020).
During the movement control order (MCO) time, the National Security Council (NSC) has
produced a list of non-essential services that can be open or operated under limited
parameters. Vehicle repair or mechanic workshops are permitted to be open but only function
at a basic level, according to a list of Non-Essential Services released by the NCS yesterday,
while towing services are allowed to continue as usual. Only with approval from the Public
Works Department (JKR) and the Department of Safety and Health are works on in-progress
constructions and renovations for safety and security infrastructures permitted (DOSH).
Except for funerals, which should be conducted with minimum participation, all religious
events are outlawed. Domestic travel, as well as social and cultural activities, are severely
restricted. In terms of foreign travel, only Malaysian natives returning from abroad are
permitted to enter the country, however they must follow quarantine requirements. Malaysian
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citizens are forbidden from travelling beyond the country, although non-citizens are
permitted. Only non-citizens having diplomatic status, permanent resident status, or
expatriates working in important services are permitted to enter the nation, although they
must follow quarantine requirements. Malaysians working in Singapore, Thailand, Brunei,
and Indonesia are prohibited from crossing the border to go to work during the MCO period
(Edgar, 2020).
Moreover, banking, financial, and stock market services are permitted to function
regularly, but administration and management, as well as over-the-counter services, should
work as little as feasible and preferably from home. Only administration and management of
power and electricity should be done remotely or from home. Maintenance and operations
can continue as before. Operationally, the Bomba Fire and Rescue Department can operate
properly, however administration and management should be done lightly or from home.
Ports and airport services can continue to run properly, but management and administration
must be done remotely or minimally from home. Postal and courier services, including
delivery and over-the-counter services, can continue to function normally, although
management and administration should be done as little as possible or from home. Prisons,
temporary holding centres, immigration depots, drug rehabilitation centres, and police
lockups will continue to operate normally, but visitors will be barred, and management and
administration will be done lightly or from home (Edgar, 2020)
In addition, businesses that deal with fuel and lubricants, such as gas stations,
manufacturing, storage, supply, and distribution, are permitted to continue operating as usual,
with management and administration done lightly or from home. Medical operations,
hospitals, clinics, commercial and government pharmacies, registered traditional medicine
stores, veterinary and dialysis centres, and veterinary and dialysis centres are to function
regularly, with management and administration done minimally or from home. According to
the Health Ministry, patient visits to medical facilities are forbidden unless in life-threatening
situations. Waste management, including sewage services, will continue to run normally,
with limited management and administration done from home. Broadcast and information
services will be provided as usual, with limited administration and management carried out
from home. Data centres and call centres can function regularly with minimum supervision
and administration, or even from home, for telecommunications services, maintenance, and
operations. The use of over-the-counter services is forbidden (Edgar, 2020).
Besides, public transportation on land, air, and sea, as well as e-hailing services, may run
smoothly with minimum supervision and administration, or even from home. Water services
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can continue to run regularly with minimal administration and control. Public flights,
Customs, Immigration, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Marine Department,
Meteorological Department, printing, registration, and the Road Transport Department will
continue to function as usual, with little administration and management. Security forces such
as the police and the Armed Forces would continue to operate regularly, with recruiting and
training postponed and limited supervision and administration. Security and defense-related
industries and enterprises are free to function as usual, with management and administration
carried out at a low level or from home. Except for dine-in, services related to food
manufacturing and distribution, such as supplying raw ingredients, packaging, delivery, and
drive-thru, are permitted to operate regularly. Restaurants, stalls, food trucks, food courts, and
hotel restaurants must follow this rule (Edgar, 2020).
Furthermore, retailers supplying necessary things such as foodstuffs can continue to
operate and deliver as normal, but they must limit the number of items purchased per family.
During the MCO time, night markets and 'pasar tani' are prohibited, however shopping malls
may remain open for parts of retail shops selling basic products like as groceries and food.
Hotels, homestays, and hostels can continue to operate, but visitors must follow quarantine
regulations and order meals exclusively through room service. During the MCO time, hotels
and other accommodations providing recreational amenities such as swimming pools, bars,
spas, and gyms shall keep them closed. Only room service or food delivery can be provided
from their kitchen. Wildlife management, such as parks and zoos, may function normally
with minimum management and administration done from home. All activities and
transactions for online services and e-commerce can be completed properly (Edgar, 2020).
Meanwhile, various sorts of enterprises have been designated as being prohibited from
operating during the two-week national complete lockdown or movement control order
(MCO) 4.0, which begins June 1. The comprehensive lockdown was announced on Friday,
after the country recorded an all-time high of 8,290 new illnesses. Malaysia, on the other
hand, set a new record the next day, with 9,020 new cases. Dine-ins, park-and-dine concepts,
photography, internet cafès, horse races, casinos, and gaming and lottery enterprises are
among the activities that are prohibited. Farmers' markets, weekly markets, night markets,
and ’pasar tamu’ are all prohibited (New Straits Times, 2021).
On the other hand, spas, reflexology and massage centres, wellness centres, beauty salons,
pedicure and manicure, hair salons and barbershops, furniture shops, car wash, jewellery
stores, stationery and book shops, vehicle accessory shops, clothes, fashion and accessory
shops, toy shops, sporting goods stores, flower shops and nurseries are among the businesses
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and services that are prohibited during the implementation of MCO 4.0 (New Straits Times,
2021).
There are advantages and disadvantages to allowing non-essential services to operate
during the peak of the covid epidemic. Allowing non-essential services to continue has the
advantage of not causing economic damage to the country, resulting in fewer individuals
experiencing financial hardship and a lower unemployment rate. Meanwhile, due to the
drawbacks of permitting non-essential services to run, the government is having difficulty
flattening its Covid-19 infection curve, preventing a calamity, overburdening healthcare
institutions, and challenges saving additional lives.

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2.
The Malaysian economy is being harmed even more by arbitrary divisions between
"essential" and "non-essential" industries. Essential industries may be a hub for high-risk
transmission, but non-essential sectors have shown a progressive decrease in transmission
rates, particularly among individuals who adhere to tight SOPs. For example, the retail sector
had its worst year (-16.3 percent in 2020) since the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998 (-20.0
percent)[1], with the fashion/apparel sub-sector experiencing the worst drop (-49.6 percent in
Q4 2020), followed by department stores (-44.7 percent ). Reduced retail traffic has forced 30
percent of malls to shut since March 2020, resulting in the loss of around 300,000 jobs due to
travel limitations (including domestic tourism) and work-from-home adoption. Long-term
store closures will deepen market splits by causing multinational brands and investors to
leave, lowering spending and consumption even more. Several local enterprises have also
shut down, thereby putting an end to Malaysia's entrepreneurial environment. The fact that
the regulations limiting their activities do not appear to be based on research or evidence
bothers retail operators the most (REFSA, 2021).
Prior to the release of MCO 3.0, statistics from the Ministry of Health revealed that cases
connected to malls accounted for only 0.8 percent of all cases in May. Mall owners attributed
this to tougher SOPs, which included a 2-hour maximum visit time limit. Retailers have been
compelled to provide new initiatives such as curbside pickups, buy-online-pickup-in-store
(BOPIS), and self-checkouts as a result of the difficult times. The industry is working to
improve their standard operating procedures and come up with new ways to adapt. As a
result, rather than eliminating all "non-essential" retail or restricting it with arbitrary SOPs,
authorities should conduct transmission risk evaluations and let low-risk retail establishments
to continue, allowing people to earn a living (REFSA, 2021).
The creative industry is another business that has been stifled by lockdowns (from visual
arts to live performances). Most forms of art operate by bringing the audience and the
artwork/artists together in one place, which frequently involves social interaction.
Exhibitions, for example, bring together artists and collectors, while concerts bring together
fans and performers. The revenues of artists and venue suppliers have nearly halved as a
result of event cancellations and postponements. The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
(MPO) is're-evaluating its financial strategy,' as evidenced by the fact that most performers'
contracts are not extended. The arts centre is barely surviving, relying solely on community

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fundraising. Many independent artists have significantly less government protection.
Previously, the industry looked at using digital communication technologies to create virtual
exhibits. However, the most recent limitations prohibit even shooting and recording
operations until Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan, putting the business on the verge of
collapse. In the long term, a lack of job assistance and outdated SOPs for the creative
business would put Malaysia's artistic and cultural appreciation back years (REFSA, 2021).
Unemployment is rising in many industries, sadly but unmistakably, but weak demand
owing to limitations has badly harmed the tourist and travel businesses. AirAsia has laid off
2,400 staff and is only operating 8% of its Malaysian routes, whilst Malaysia Airlines has laid
off almost 13,000 workers. According to the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), MCO
3.0 has put 61.13 percent of staff on unpaid leave. Only 70% of hotels are still functioning,
according to MAH, with average occupancy rates below 20%. Since 2020, aviation has lost
RM13 billion and hotels have lost RM11.3 billion, with no visible indications of recovery
(REFSA, 2021).
Despite the fact that government stimulus programmes have offered broad coverage, it is
impossible to ensure that no one is left out. Sports and fitness are an example of a "lost
group." Mega events and sports tourism, fueled by incoming tourists, contributed over RM1
billion in economic effect in 2019, according to the Sports Industry Coalition (SIC).
However, since the epidemic, income have plummeted by 99 percent, and the staff has
shrunk by 85 percent, according to a recent poll (REFSA, 2021).
While the epidemic has caused changes in consumer behaviour, the serious disruption to
supply systems may go unnoticed. When it comes to aquaculture and fisheries, low consumer
demand as a result of dine-in limitations and seafood restaurant closures has resulted in lower
seafood prices and stock pile-ups. The price of fish sold by fishermen to village
intermediaries has dropped by 50% to 70% since the MCO was implemented (March 2020).
The demand for higher-value fishes such as groupers and Spanish mackerels, which are
popular in restaurants and among visitors, is the most affected. Because fishing income is
barely adequate to pay expenditures, the Malaysia Inshore Fishermen Action Network
(JARING) is concerned that fishermen would stop fishing to prevent losses. MIDA estimated
a 33.3 percent employment loss in the fishing industry, affecting the livelihoods of many
fishermen who were already classified as low-income (REFSA, 2021).
The pandemic has had varying effects on each industry, ranging from catastrophic
destruction for many to favourable growth for a few. In many situations, the loss of one
industry has 'spillover effects', affecting associated, smaller-scaled enterprises. For example,
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cancelling live sports contests has an impact on media broadcasters, venue suppliers,
merchandising and food sellers at stadiums. Actual economic damages may be under-
reported as a result of attention being focused on the'main' businesses (in this example,
sports), resulting in the difficulty of accidentally 'leaving out' some parties when creating
assistance packages. Unfortunately, many sectors' issues are primarily caused by uncontrolled
causes, such as the non-pandemic-friendly nature of their operations or the safety-driven shift
in consumer behaviour. Rather than relying on lockdowns, the government could enhance
targeted economic support while enhancing SOPs using science-based methods. The
government should respect its commitment to help Malaysians rather than working against
them by burdening companies with arbitrary, unfounded SOPs or underfunding underserved
industries. (REFSA, 2021).

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3.
According to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysia's full lockdown has managed to
flatten the country's Covid-19 infection curve and prevent a disaster. While announcing the
national recovery plan, the nation's health-care system can manage new cases. Malaysia went
into a statewide lockdown on June 1 as the number of daily Covid cases surpassed 9,000,
putting the country's health-care system under severe strain. The limits were extended for two
weeks, until June 28, and the government recorded 5,419 additional Covid cases in the weeks
that followed. During the lockdown, the economy lost 1 billion ringgit per day since most
companies were closed save for essential economic and service sectors (Bangkok Post Public
Company Limited, 2021).
Cases of Covid-19 were on the rise, and healthcare systems were at risk of being
overburdened with patients with life-threatening symptoms. People would die unnecessarily
if hospitals ran out of beds, ICU units, nurses, or physicians, among other things. Locking
down was the only way to avoid such a calamity. Flattening the epidemiological curve would
keep our health-care system's workload reasonable. On March 10, Anthony Fauci, the
nation's top infectious disease specialist, stated, "If you look at the curves of epidemics, they
have enormous peaks and then drop down." "All we have to do now is smooth that out." At
initially, the US was successful in flattening the curve. Businesses were shuttered, and most
states issued stay-at-home orders; subsequent studies found that the lockdown measures
helped avoid tens of millions of cases of Covid-19 (Scott, 2020).
State officials have shuttered schools and colleges, closed non-essential companies, and
adopted stay-at-home regulations mandating the general public to remain at home during the
peak of the epidemic to flatten the curve and minimise demand for healthcare. Only
"essential" companies, including as hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, and
banks, were allowed to work on-site under these presidential orders. All other work has to be
done remotely or completely stopped. Society was subjected to severe limitations, prohibiting
personal travel and activity (Jenson, 2020).

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4.
The enormous outbreak of a pneumonia-like sickness caused by the Coronavirus in China
in December 2019 triggered a worldwide pandemic since the virus can easily spread by
respiratory droplets. Malaysia was also hit, and the government declared an MCO to combat
the outbreak. There are lists of vital services that are permitted to function and non-essential
services that are not permitted to operate, with the latter encountering several hurdles.
In conclusion, allowing non-essential services to function during the peak of the Covid
outbreak has both gains and losses. Allowing non-essential services to continue has the
benefit of inflicting no economic harm to the country, resulting in fewer people facing
financial difficulty and a lower unemployment rate. Meanwhile, the government is having
trouble flattening its Covid-19 infection curve, averting a disaster, overburdening healthcare
facilities, and extra lives lost, because to the downsides of allowing non-essential services to
function.
The government should find a method to balance the benefits and drawbacks of the
economy so that it does not deeper to the point where people suffer too much and the number
of covid cases increases too much. Instead of a lockdown, the government should focus on
enhancing Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP), which might be the best method to
cope with the epidemic. Strengthening SOP enforcement and raising awareness will also
assist to stop Covid-19 from spreading.
(2863
words)

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5. References

Bangkok Post Public Company Limited. (2021, June 15). Malaysia PM says lockdown has
helped flatten Covid curve. https://www.bangkokpost.com.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2132795/malaysia-pm-says-lockdown-has-helped-
flatten-covid-curve

Cheah, D., & Lim, Z. H. (2020, March 24). What Are “Essential Services” Under The
Movement Control Order? Donovan & Ho Advocates and Solicitors.
https://dnh.com.my/what-are-essential-services-under-the-movement-control-order/

Edgar, N. (2020, March 19). NSC Releases List Of Non-essential Services. Borneo Post
Online.https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/03/19/nsc-releases-list-of-non-essential-
services/

Jenson H. B. (2020). How did "flatten the curve" become "flatten the economy?" A
perspective from the United States of America. Asian journal of psychiatry, 51, 102165.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102165

New Straits Times. (2021, May 30). MCO 4.0: No-go businesses, services | New straits
times. NSTOnline.https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/694426/mco-40-no-go-
businesses-services

REFSA. (2021, July 22). How Has COVID-19 Affected Malaysian Business Sectors?
https://refsa.org/how-has-covid-19-affected-malaysian-business-sectors/

Sazali, M. F., Abdul Rahim, S. S. S., Mohamed, M. H., Omar, A., Pang, N. T. P., Jeffree, M.
S., Tat, Y. B., Giloi, N., Bahar, F. H. M., Afridah, W., Fasya, A. H. Z., Hassan, M. R.,
Madrim, M. F., Mokti, K., Ramdzan, A. R., Ahmad, Z. N. S., Atil, A., Rahim, M. A. A., &
Ibrahim, M. Y. (2021). Knowledge, attitude and practice on COVID-19 among students

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during the early phase of pandemic in a university in Borneo, Malaysia. Journal of Public
Health Research, 10(3), 1–7. https://doi-org.newdc.oum.edu.my/10.4081/jphr.2021.2122

Scott, D. (2020, December 31). Flattening The Curve Worked — Until It Didn’t. Vox.
https://www.vox.com/22180261/covid-19-coronavirus-social-distancing-lockdowns-flatten-
the-curve

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