KUALA LUMPUR: Even if the number of new Covid-19 cases increases, Malaysia's economic and industrial activity will not be halted, according to Minister of International Trade and Industry Mohamed Azmin Ali.

According to the news reports, previous lockdowns resulted in the loss of 826,000 jobs in the first three months of the total lockout in 2020.

"We can't do it any longer (complete lockdown); yeah, we must successfully handle this pandemic; we will do our best to address the health issue; however, 'economic health' is equally critical. If there is a sudden spike, we will now do it in a balanced manner (Covid-19) " Mohamed Azmin said.

Azmin went on to say that his ministry will focus on vaccinating economic sector employees.

According to data from the Malaysian Health Ministry, the Omicron variant has triggered a rise in new Covid-9 infections over the last week, with 13,944 new cases reported on Tuesday alone.

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