Malaysia to ease movement control and business operations in NRP, effective 16 August

A total of 11 new types of economic activities will now be allowed to resume in Phase One, and an additional 11 activities in Phase Two.

More businesses will be allowed to operate under Phases One and Two of Malaysia’s National Recovery Plan (NRP), and Malaysians will be allowed to go to state parks for exercising and recreational activities, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on 15 August 2021 (Sunday). These expanded measures will take effect today (16 August 2021).

“The government understands that many personal activities have been disrupted as a result of this pandemic. This includes buying household items and doing basic upkeep like haircuts. The government is aware, the longer this is restricted, the greater the risk to the mental and physical health of the people,” PM Muhyiddin said.

The government also sees that, he added, it is very important for economic sectors to reopen in stages because if the situation persists, the impact especially on business owners and their employees will be worse.

The latest series of updates are explained in detail below, and cover the following:

• The 11 more sectors allowed to operate in Phase One of National Recovery Plan
• The additional 11 sectors allowed to operate in Phase Two of National Recovery Plan
• Manufacturing, construction, mining, and quarrying activities to resume, based on percentage of fully-vaccinated workforce
• Visiting parks for exercising and for recreational activities to be allowed (for individual activities only)
• Plans for travel bubble to pilot with Langkawi Island

Scroll below for the updates.

Updates to Phase One of National Recovery Plan

In that regard, for states under Phase One of NRP, there are 11 business sectors that are allowed to operate, effective 16 August 2021. They are:

1. Car wash;
2. Electrical and electronics stores;
3. Household goods and kitchen utensils;
4. Furniture stores;
5. Sports equipment stores;
6. Car accessories stores;
7. Car distribution and sales centre;
8. Morning and farmers’ markets;
9. Clothing, fashion, and accessories stores;
10. Jewellery stores, and
11. Hairdressers and beauty salons (for basic barber services only).

This decision came after the government assessed the pandemic situation with the risk assessment data conducted by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) and “after discussing with all stakeholders in the sectors of interest”.

The Prime Minister also noted that for clothing, fashion, and accessory stores; jewellery stores; as well as barbershops and beauty salons, there are additional health SOPs that must be adhered to.

“This includes wearing gloves, limiting business time between employees and customers and not allowing the use of fitting rooms. These SOPs may be complicated but they are for the safety of employees and customers.

“Owners of premises listed in the business that can re-operate must also ensure that customers who enter the premises must show a COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate to prove that the individual has received a complete vaccination,” PM Muhyiddin said.

Updates to Phase Two of National Recovery Plan

For states in Phase Two of NRP, an additional 11 business sectors will be allowed to operate (over and above those listed in Phase One), effective 16 August 2021. They are:

1. Photographic goods store and photographic services;
2. Second-hand items;
3. Florists and nurseries;
4. Handicraft and souvenir stores;
5. Antique stores;
6. Toy stores;
7. Carpet stores;
8. Creative content and creative industry equipment stores;
9. Outdoor equipment stores (including camping, fishing and other equipment);
10. Cosmetics, skin care, and perfume stores, and
11. Tobacco stores (including vape and electronic cigarettes).

“Owners of premises listed have to ensure that customers who enter the premises must show a COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate to prove that the individual has received a complete vaccination,” the Prime Minister reiterated.

Manufacturing, construction, mining, and quarrying activities to resume

“I would also like to inform that the government has agreed to allow all non-essential activities in the manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying sectors to resume operations from 16 August 2021 in states that are under Phase One, Two, and Three of NRP.

“However, the operating capacity depends on the rate of complete vaccination of the workers,” PM Muhyiddin said.

This translates into the following:

• Should the manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying business have 80% to 100% of employees fully-vaccinated, then they are allowed to operate with 100% capacity.
• Similarly, for 60% to 79% of employees fully-vaccinated, then operating capacity is at 80%;
• Finally, for 40% to 59% of fully-vaccinated workforce, then operating capacity is at 60%.

Further, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) reminded that companies are required to declare the number and names of their fully-vaccinated employees in the COVID-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) 3.0 system.

Upon declaration, the company may directly download the latest approval letter from the system to operate.

The government understands, PM Muhyiddin noted, this decision will provoke various reactions from the public who are concerned about the risk of contagion. He reassured that this decision is “made with care”, and that it is necessary because “many employers began to reduce the workforce, causing many to lose their jobs” - and the government cannot allow this situation to continue.

PM Muhyiddin added: “I would like to remind all employers to comply with and meet the conditions that have been set before resuming operations to ensure the safety of employees and secure work. At the same time, take full advantage of the wage subsidy initiatives provided by the Government to ensure that every employee receives their salary payment.”

Visiting parks for exercising and for recreational activities

Beyond the economic aspect of Malaysia, the Prime Minister also announced more measures to boost the nation’s mental wellbeing. This is by allowing locals in states under Phase One of NRP to visit parks for exercising and for recreational activities.

“But remember, only activities that can be done individually such as jogging, cycling and exercising are allowed, in line with the sports and leisure SOPs in Phase One of NRP,” PM Muhyiddin said.

He added that the public is also only allowed to visit public recreational parks in the neighbourhood; not to cross states, or regions to go to other recreational parks. Local authorities and agencies will monitor the situation, and ensure that health SOPs are adhered to.

Plans for travel bubble to pilot with Langkawi Island

In his speech, PM Muhyiddin also spoke of the government’s plans to implement a travel bubble at Langkawi Island. This will be a pilot project for the fully-vaccinated, and will be crucial to “revive the tourism industry.”

He shared that the Ministry of Health (MOH) and health experts have advised the government to implement this plan only when the complete vaccination rate of the population of Langkawi Island reaches at least 80% of the total population.

As of 15 August 2021, however, according to the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Assurance Special Committee (Jawatankuasa Khas Jaminan Akses Bekalan Vaksin COVID-19/JKJAV), the nation’s vaccination rate is at 45.9% (with two doses) and at 72.9% (with one dose).

Apart from Langkawi Island, PM Muhyiddin said, the government also has plans to implement a tourism bubble approach in more destinations, other than Langkawi Island, throughout the country.

“However, this matter is still at the planning stage and the government will look at the results of the pilot project (Langkawi Island) first. If all goes well, the tourism bubble will be implemented more widely,” the Prime Minister added.

Also read: SOPs for fully-vaccinated individuals in Malaysia: Phases 1, 2 and 3 of NRP [Aug 2021]

Image / Majlis Keselamatan Negara’s Facebook

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