COVID-19: an update from Malaysia by Edmund Teng, president of the Malaysian Association of Practising Opticians (MAPO)

As a preventive measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister of Malaysia decided on complete lockdown under the Movement Control Order (MCO) which took effect on 18th March. Opticians and optical shops are prohibited from opening. Many corporate companies and ophthalmologists organised continuing education webinars and updates with a diverse range of topics, from clinical to practice management, new technologies, ophthalmic products and Covid-19 safe practice. These webinars were timely received good participation as many opticians were very free at home and benefited from it.

The Malaysian Government had eased lockdown restrictions on 4th May under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), which allowed certain business sectors to resume operations including optical practices which is classified under healthcare providers, subject to strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

For everyone’s safety, opticians were advised to provide for emergency and essential services, also services based on appointments. Notices were put up at the shop front door and limit the number of seating in retail practices.

Clients will be required to follow the strict SOP i.e. undergo a temperature check, fill up health declaration questionnaires (now scan a contact tracing app), wear a face mask, sanitise their hands before entering the premises and practice social distancing.

At this moment, most optical shop owners are retaining their employees, unlike other sectors, such as travel agencies. Businesses were operating with shorter hours and lesser workforce.

Currently, we are in Phase 7 - Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). Majority business sectors are allowed to resume their operations. As we start to unwind from the COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia, life is getting pretty much back to normal. Opticians and the public now have gotten used to the new normal i.e. the SOP. Optical practices are serving more clients, traffic is busy, restaurants are full except bars are still prohibited to open and offices are now reaching high occupancy though still with contact tracing and social distancing. We are optimistic the bounce back is underway.