PETALING JAYA: A European business group, earlier purportedly issued a note to its members that the government planned a lockdown, has now issued a denial.

Hours after the note was leaked to the media, it went viral and the media reported about the supposed lockdown.

However, the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham), issued a clarification later, saying there was no mention of an immediate lockdown after Feb 4 in its discussion with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) on Friday (Jan 22).

Eurocham in a statement Sunday (Jan 24) clarified that its informal discussion with Miti was aimed at raising awareness about how the business community can play a role in flattening the Covid-19 curve and denied mention of an immediate lockdown after Feb 4.

"The essence of the informal discussion with Miti was aimed to raise awareness about how the business community can play a role in flattening the Covid-19 curve - and the economic repercussions that could follow if we do not play a very active role, while expecting the government to exhaust its efforts independently.

"In this context, the demanding situation of worker accommodations has been raised many times and was mentioned in our internal circular as a crucial contribution in the effort of breaking the chain (of infections)," said Eurocham chairman Oliver Roche.

He said that while Miti underscored the heightened sense of urgency that currently prevails, given the rising number of cases, there was no mention of an immediate lockdown after Feb 4, 2021.

"We seek for people to remain focused on the bigger picture – in doing their part to ensure that another lockdown is avoided instead," he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/01/24/eurocham-no-mention-of-lockdown-after-feb-4-in-meeting-with-miti