Selangor Journal
A man jogging at Taman Tasek Ampang Hilir, Kuala Lumpur, on June 17, 2020. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Govt announces social sector relaxations for full vaccinated in states under Phase 2

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — The government has agreed to ease the restrictions in the social sector for fully vaccinated individuals who reside in states under Phase Two and above of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), effective Tuesday (Aug 10).

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said among the restrictions being lifted were the ban on dine-ins, inter-district travel, sports and recreational activities without physical contact as well as tourism activities within the same state involving homestays and hotels.

Muhyiddin announced the relaxation of restrictions in a special address today.

Individuals who wanted to travel across districts must show their digital certificate of Covid-19 vaccination to enforcement officers manning roadblocks, he said.

For dine-ins, the prime minister advised the public to choose well-ventilated premises, and only if necessary or take-away, besides also not staying too long in the premises.

The Prime Minister stressed that the risk of infections was higher during dine-ins compared to other social activities.

He also advised restaurant operators to provide more dining space outside the premises for better ventilation and ensure that those who enter the premises for dine-in purposes had been fully vaccinated.

“For married couples who are fully vaccinated and would like to bring their children below 17-years of age for dine-ins, make sure your children adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP),” he said.

Muhyiddin said sports and recreational activities would be allowed with physical distancing at outdoor and half-indoor areas from 6 am to 10 pm.

The allowed activities include jogging, exercising, taichi, cycling, skateboarding, fishing, equestrian, archery, hiking, tennis, badminton, golfing and motoring.

“Dine-ins at restaurants or cafes at clubhouse premises will be allowed, however, the changing rooms and showers at the clubhouses will not be allowed.

“This is to avoid gathering after sports and reduce Covid-19 transmission risk,” he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said homestay and hotel operators must ensure that their patrons show the digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate.

He also stressed that the relaxations, especially the dine-ins and sports activities, did not mean that the community could ignore the SOPs that had been set.

“I have instructed the Home Minister who is also the SOP Compliance and Enforcement Coordination Committee chairman (Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin), to ensure that the relevant ministries and agencies will intensify the enforcement and monitoring activities.

— Bernama

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