KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 22): The Special Committee on Pandemic Management today agreed to allow opening of tourism centres, islands, and areas as well as cross-state travel when the country’s adult population vaccination rate reaches 90%.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the rate of vaccination is based on the data and analysis carried out by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

He said it was also agreed during the meeting to allow the transition of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) phase for three states effective this Friday, namely Negeri Sembilan moving to Phase Four, Pahang to Phase Three, and Johor to enter Phase Two.

“The transition of phase is according to the guidelines set under PPN by taking into consideration hospital admission for symptomatic cases, occupancy of intensive care unit beds, as well as the percentage of the fully vaccinated.

“The decision was also based on the the current risk evaluation by MOH and the National Security Council (MKN),” he said in a statement today.

According to Ismail Sabri, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for states entering Phases Two, Three, and Four are the same as before and the latest SOPs will be updated by MKN on its official website, www.mkn.gov.my.

In this regard, he said it was also decided to allow sundry shops, mini markets, restaurants, petrol stations, and convenient stores to operate from 6am to 12am midnight effective tomorrow.

Apart from that, the operations of spa, health (wellness), and massage centres will also be allowed for customers and operators who have received two-dose vaccination from Oct 1.

“Tourism centres and activities such as zoos, farms, aquariums, snorkeling, scuba diving, angling tourism, and forest parks will be allowed to operate in all phases of PPN effective Oct 1 with all operators and visitors having completed their vaccination,” he said.

On the presence of workers at businesses allowed to operate, Ismail Sabri said they are allowed with 100% capacity on the condition that the employers and all workers are fully vaccinated.

Ismail Sabri said it was also decided that foreigners arriving at international checkpoints have to bear the cost of RT-PCR test at the entry point while the test is free for Malaysians.

“The government urged people benefitting from the relaxation given to be disciplined and have a sense of responsibility. Comply with every SOP stipulated, wear face mask, practise physical distancing, and look after one’s own health and safety,” he said.

Source : The Edge Market – 23 September 2021 (Thursday)

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