[Updated] SOPs for Malaysia's 4-phase National Recovery Plan

These are in line with PM Muhyiddin's announcement that the lockdown will not end today (28 June), and provide details on which sectors can operate, when the public can travel, and more.

This article was updated on 1 July 2021 with additional SOPs for Phase One. Refer to the text in blue below.

- With inputs by Lester Tan.

Malaysia's total lockdown, which was slated to end today (28 June), will be extended while COVID-19 cases in the country remain high, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Sunday (27 June).

Noting this in a press statement on the same day, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Senior Minister of Defense said the nation will remain in Phase One of the lockdown (MCO 3.0) until three key threshold value indicators under the National Recovery Plan (Pelan Pemulihan Negara/PPN) are achieved:

1. The average daily COVID-19 cases drop below 4,000;
2. The rate of bed usage in the ICU is kept at a moderate level; and
3. 10% of the population has completed both doses of the vaccination.

All three indicators will be taken into account before the transition from Phase One to Phase Two is decided.

In line with this, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri has listed out a series of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will apply to each phase of the PPN, including the lockdown:

Phase One

In Phase One of the PPN, the general SOPs for MCO 3.0 remain applicable, whereby all social and economic activities are not allowed to operate except essential sectors listed in the 'permitted' list issued by the National Security Council (NSC/MKN).

General movement, and cross-state and cross-district travel

• There should be no crossing of state and district boundaries (based on district boundaries set by the State Government).
• The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is responsible for implementing control over local areas of infection with the help of ATM, APM & RELA. The entrance and exit of the PKP area will be closed, with entry controlled by the PDRM.
• Only two household representatives are allowed to go out only to get food supplies, medicine, dietary supplements and basic necessities within a radius not exceeding 10km from his/her residence.
• A maximum of three persons, including patients, are allowed out for health care, medical services, screening tests, vaccination programs, safety or emergency within a radius not exceeding 10km from his/her residence, or to the nearest place of residence if such health or medical services not within a 10km radius of the residence.
• The number of passengers in taxis and e-hailing rides is limited to two people,  including the driver,  and passengers must sit in the back.
• The number of persons allowed in vehicles carrying goods as well as the chain of economic or industrial activities (except transportation of workers) depends on the vehicle registration licence.
• The number of people allowed in the Department Vehicle or the Official Car of the Post is based on the capacity of the vehicle.
• Activities and services at all airports and ports are allowed to operate. •
• Unloading activities involve non-essential goods in factories are limited to the delivery and receipt of goods or cargo in the existing stockpile for the purpose of import and export only, with a limited number of employees on-site. Unloading time is from 8.00am to 8.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Unloading activities involving essential items are not subject to these restrictions, and can proceed as usual.
• Sea and land public transport services such as employee transport, stop buses, express buses, LRT, MRT, ERL, Monorail, ferries and other public transport are allowed to operate based on 50% vehicle capacity (operating hours and frequencies subject to the Ministry of Transport's instructions ).
• Movement for cases of death and natural disasters is allowed after obtaining permission from PDRM.
• The movement of disaster or humanitarian aid by NGOs will require permission from the State Disaster Management Committee or District Disaster Management Committee in the area affected by the disaster, and the aid will be channeled through the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) in the area.
• Movement across districts and states for the purpose of COVID-19 vaccination at Vaccination Centres (PPVs) outside the district or state of residence is permitted by showing appointment details on the MySejahtera application, website or SMS.
• Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen are allowed across states and districts, to visit their respective constituencies without performing any ceremony.
• Cross-state and district travel is not allowed for long distance married couples.
• Movement of short-term business visitors, under the approval of the One Stop Centre Initiative (OSC) for official or business purposes, will be allowed after obtaining permission from PDRM.

Meetings, seminars, workshops, courses, trainings and talks

• Meetings should be conducted by video conference.
• Seminars, workshops, courses, trainings and talks are not allowed unless ongoing in-service training can be implemented in the training area through the camp-based training method. Seminars, workshops, courses, trainings and talks conducted online are allowed.

Business and Services

• Restaurants, eateries, food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, street hawkers, food courts, hawker centres, roadside food stalls or kiosks are allowed to operate between 6.00am to 10.00pm by takeaway, drive-by or delivery .
• Dine-in and park & dine services are not allowed during the PKP period.
• Picnic activities are not allowed.
• Grocery stores and convenience stores are allowed to operate between 8.00am and 8.00pm.
• Shops selling daily necessities, such as hardware shops, vehicle workshops, baby goods shops and religious goods are allowed to operate between 8.00am to 8.00pm. 
• Health services such as hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories can operate for up to 24 hours or according to an operating licence.
• Petrol stations can operate from 6.00am to 8.00pm, except petrol stations on toll highways which can operate for up to 24 hours.
• Supermarkets, hypermarkets and department stores can open, restricted to the food, beverage and basic necessities section only, from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
• Pharmacies, personal care shops, convenience stores and mini marts are allowed to operate from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
• Animal clinics and pet food shops are allowed to operate from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
• Laundry shops, laundromats and eyewear shops are allowed to operate from 8.00am to 8.00pm. Self-service laundromats need to ensure that employees are on the premises in compliance with the prescribed SOPs.

For the full Phase One SOPs, which include permitted activities and activities that are not permitted, refer to MKN's update here.

Phase Two

In Phase Two, the list of permitted sectors which can operate will be expanded to include:

Manufacturing sector

• Automotive (vehicles & components)
• Ceramics
• Furniture factories for export purposes
• Rubber
• Iron & steel
• Cement

Trade and distribution sector

• Bookstores & stationery shops 
• Computers & telecommunications 
• Electrical goods 
• Car wash shops 
• Barber shops (basic barber services only)

Businesses will be allowed to operate from 8.00am to 8.00pm.

Cross-district and cross-state movements will still be prohibited, except for the movement of school teachers and students of examination classes. Cross-state movement for long-distance couples will be allowed for emergencies and special cases, only with the approval of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

The operating hours of restaurants, eateries, food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, circulating hawkers, food courts, hawker centres, roadside food stalls or kiosks will remain as 6.00am to 10.00pm.

Additionally, farmers' markets and morning markets will be allowed to operate from 7.00am to 11.00am, limited to six commodities - namely vegetables, fruits, groceries, processed chicken, seafood and meat. However, weekly markets, night markets and guest markets will still be banned.

Meanwhile, all individual sports and recreational activities and no physical contact will be allowed in this phase.

Phase Three

In this phase, all economic activities will be allowed to operate, except high-risk activities listed in the 'negative' list, such as:

• Spas
• Pedicure & manicure providers
• Pubs and night clubs

Cross-district travel will be allowed throughout Phase Three, while cross-state travel will remain banned.

Dine-in at restaurants will be allowed, limited to two people per table and subject to physical distancing. For public transport such as taxis and e-hailing services including private vehicles, the total capacity will be increased to three people including drivers.

Night markets, farmers' markets, weekly markets and guest markets will also be allowed to operate, in accordance with the current SOPs. The same will apply to beauty salons, as long as they are in compliance with the strict SOPs that have been set.

Phase three will also see the opening of the education sector - schools, public and private institutes of higher learning, skills training institutes, and other educational institutions under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE/KPM), Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) and Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) as well as agencies. These other agencies are subject to KPM's calendar and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE/KPT), as well as the current risk assessment of the Ministry of Health (MOH/KKM).

Social activities will remain banned in Phase Three. However, there will be flexibility to receive guests or visitors at places of residence, limited to 10 people at a time.

Last, tourism activities will be allowed, with the condition of domestic tourism only. The opening of tourist attractions will still be subject to current risk assessments and strict SOPs; while the creative industry will be allowed to operate, for instance live events without spectators.

Phase Four

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri noted that Phase Four can be implemented when the number of COVID -19 cases falls low, the public health system is at a safe level, and the vaccination programme has reached a level of herd immunity.

"This last phase will allow us all to return to the norms of daily life where almost all sectors are fully allowed subject to the existing SOPs that have been set."

Photo / 123RF