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Bloomberg
Malaysia’s PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob will announce the easing of more virus curbs in the economic and social sectors soon amid concern over the lockdowns’ effect on mental health.
The committee managing the pandemic has agreed to provide several “low-risk†concessions for the population, said Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein in a press conference on Tuesday.
It is also looking into allowing more tourist activity, adding more destinations in its travel bubble initiative, and reopening gyms, he said.
“In setting these concessions, the government understands the stress, fatigue and lethargy of the people after more than a year of being in a pandemic that has limited activity and movement,†said Hishammuddin. “This situation can’t go on because there is a risk of more serious repercussions, especially on mental health.â€
Some 638 people died by suicide in Malaysia between January to July this year, more than double the number during the same period in 2020, according to Health Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah.