KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — The Special Committee on Pandemic Management today agreed to allow the opening of tourism centres, islands and areas as well as interstate travel when the country’s adult population vaccination rate reached 90 per cent based on data and analysis conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the 90 per cent target could be achieved in two to three weeks.
“I believe many are yearning to return to their villages to meet family members after such a long time. I am confident with the relaxation, we would be able to restore the country’s economic excellence soon. Nonetheless in this effort we should be sensitive and look after our safety and the Malaysian Family,” he said in a Facebook posting.
Yesterday, he announced that 80 per cent of the adult population in the country had been fully vaccinated under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
Earlier, in a statement today. he said the meeting also agreed to allow the transition of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) 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 NRP by taking into consideration hospital admission for symptomatic cases, occupancy of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, as well as the percentage of the fully vaccinated.
“The decision is also based on the current risk evaluation by MOH and the National Security Council (NSC),” he said in a statement today.
According to Ismail Sabri, the standard operating procedure (SOP) for states which entered Phase Two, Three and Four are the same as before and the latest SOP explanation would be updated by NSC on its official website, www.mkn.gov.my.
In this regard, he said the meeting today also decided on other matters including allowing sundry shops, mini markets, restaurants, petrol stations and convenience stores to operate from 6am to 12 midnight effective tomorrow.
Apart from that, the operation of spa, health (wellness) and massage centres are allowed for customers and operators who have received two-dose vaccination from October 1.
“Tourism centres and activities such zoos, farms, aquariums, snorkelling, scuba diving, angling tourism and forest parks would be allowed to operate in all phases of NRP effective October 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 the employer and all workers have been fully vaccinated.
Ismail Sabri said the meeting also set that foreigners arriving at international checkpoints have to bear the cost of the RT-PCR test at the entry point while the test is free for Malaysians.
“The government urged people benefiting from the relaxations given to be disciplined and have a sense of responsibility. Comply with every SOP stipulated, wear a face mask, practise physical distancing and look after one’s own health and safety,” he said.
— Bernama
