Posted by From 17 September, employers in Phase Two states can operate at a 60% capacity if 40% of employees have been fully vaccinated; 80% capacity if 60% have been fully vaccinated, and 100% capacity if 80% of employees have been fully vaccinated.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced flexibility for selected sectors in the country, following an agreement by the COVID-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee on Wednesday (15 September 2021). With this flexibility, sectors such as the education sector in Phase Two states, employment sector in Phase Two to Phase Four states, and more, will have to comply with an updated set of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Flexibility for the employment/economic sector in Phase One states
- The supply of minerals and rock materials including sand, as well as movement from quarry mineral tenements or dredging sites to premises or sites of major public infrastructure construction projects and permitted building construction works and necessary industrial/service premises.
- Care and maintenance on mineral tenements, quarries, and dredging sites, as well as on the premises of Mineral License and Mineral Processing License, are allowed for safety purposes and to avoid the risk of accidents.
- The operation of tenements, minerals, and dredging sites, for the purpose of producing minerals and rock materials including sand, is allowed.
- The export of minerals and rock material, including river sand, to abroad is allowed.
- Wood-based and kenaf plantations and kenaf are allowed to operate.
- The following types of businesses are allowed to re-open, provided vaccinations have taken place:
- Photographic goods stores/photography services;
- Second-hand stores;
- Flower shops/nurseries;
- Handicraft and souvenir shops;
- Antique shops;
- Toy stores;
- Carpet stores;
- Creative content stores/creative industry equipment;
- Outdoor shops (including camping, fishing equipment etc.);
- Cosmetics, skin care, and perfume stores; and
- Tobacco shops
Flexibility for the employment/economy sector in Phase Two states
- All private offices are allowed to operate as follows:
- Capacity of 60% of employees, if 40% of employees have been fully vaccinated.
- Capacity of 80% of employees, if 60% of employees have been fully vaccinated.
- 100% capacity of employees, if 80% of employees have been fully vaccinated.
- Employee vehicles with fully vaccinated passengers are allowed to operate at 100% vehicle capacity.
- Furniture factories are allowed to operate.
Flexibility for the employment/economic sector in Phase Two and Phase Three states
- Activities in the forest management sector are permitted, covering forest harvesting (logging), forest harvesting (non -timber forest products), forest plantation in permanent forest reserves (HSK), and forest development (under the 12MP Forest Development Project).
Flexibility for the employment/economic sector in Phase Two, Three, and Four states
- Face-to-face meetings are only allowed for individuals who are fully vaccinated.
Other relevant SOPs announced are as follows:
Flexibility for the social/education sector in Phase Two states
- Air and land transport sector training institutes are allowed to operate.
Flexibility for the social/education sector in Phase One and Phase Two states
- Kindergartens, childcare centres, daycare centres, and mind development centres are allowed to operate for children whose parents work. Operators and employees at these centers must have receive complete vaccination before being allowed to operate.
Flexibility for the recreation sector in Phase One and Phase Two states
- Collar fishing activities are allowed during the period of the National Recovery Plan, in compliance with complete vaccination conditions based on the following regulations:
- Phase One: 6.00am – 8.00pm in the same district
- Phase Two: 6.00am – 10pm in the same state
Flexibility for the social sector in Phase Two and Phase Three states
- Contact sports and recreational activities and the operation of open (outdoor) and indoor sports and recreational facilities are allowed, for individuals who have completed vaccinations (by reservation, sanitation, scheduling, and close monitoring).
- Team sports and recreational activities involving physical contact are permitted, according to the full capacity of the sport, but restricted to individuals who have been fully vaccinated, and performed on premises that have full supervisory control.
- Individual activities such as aerobics, zumba, and the likes, performed in groups in the same area/premises are allowed, in compliance with 50% capacity or not more than 50 people (whichever is lower) for individuals who are fully vaccinated, under the supervision of a coach/instructor.
Flexibility for the social sector across states in all phases
- Islamic grave pilgrimage activities are permitted, in accordance with the ruling of the State Religious Authority. Pilgrimage activities to non-Islam graves are also permitted, in accordance with the ruling of the Ministry of National Unity (IGP).
- Cruise ships are allowed to operate at 50% capacity – all crew and passengers must be fully vaccinated.
Separately, PM Ismail Sabri also announced that effective tomorrow (Thursday, 17 September), the state of Terengganu will be transiting to Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan.
The flexibility to Terengganu will be the same as that granted to states already in Phase Three, the PM noted, and the latest SOPs will be updated by the National Security Council.
The PM highlighted: “However, following the relaxation of SOPs announced by the government recently, I found that the public began to ignore the SOPs set. In this regard, I hope the people continue to abide by the SOP to continue the chain of COVID-19 infection.
“The Government’s willingness to allow more flexibility does not mean that we can ignore the security measures that have been in place for more than a year. Therefore, I hope that the concessions given can be utilised by the people with full discipline and a sense of responsibility.”