July 1 big reopening - swimming pools, cinemas and AGMs
CORONAVIRUS | July 1 is set to be a big reopening day for activities and locations that have been suspended ever since the movement control order (MCO) was introduced - among them public swimming pools, theatres, cinemas and important meetings such as annual general meetings (AGMs) for political parties and trade unions.
"Swimming pools and water recreational activities will be allowed from July 1 subject to recovery MCO standard operating procedures (SOPs)," said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (above) in his briefing from Putrajaya today...
CORONAVIRUS | July 1 is set to be a big reopening day for activities and locations that have been suspended ever since the movement control order (MCO) was introduced - among them public swimming pools, theatres, cinemas and important meetings such as annual general meetings (AGMs) for political parties and trade unions.
"Swimming pools and water recreational activities will be allowed from July 1 subject to recovery MCO standard operating procedures (SOPs)," said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (above) in his briefing from Putrajaya today.
However, water theme parks are still not allowed to reopen, he said.
The entertainment field received good news when Ismail also announced that cinemas, theatres and other "live events" will be allowed to resume business from July 1 but in closed premises only.
"These activities cannot exceed a capacity of 250 attendants per show and is subject to the capacity of the hall, under social distancing conditions.
"Therefore, if the hall requires a smaller number than 250 people once the one-metre rule takes effect, then the organisers must adhere to that smaller number," said the senior minister in charge of security cluster.
Ismail added that the organising of seminars, meetings, courses and training activities will also be permitted, once again with the 250 people maximum.
"Basically, organisations that are registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), Sports Commissioner Office and the Registrar of Youth Organisations can hold meetings," he said, adding that political parties, trade unions and cooperatives will get to conduct their AGMs, as required by their respective constitutions.
Elaborating further on the issue of public pools as well as private pools at hotels, gated residences, apartments, and condominiums being opened, Ismail said these locations must provide lifeguards, observers or supervisors to make sure the number of people in the pool is controlled at all times.
"Although there is no restriction for children to use these pools, the government does not encourage this. We leave it to the discretion of the parents and the management or pool operators of these areas to decide if they would want to allow children to use the pools," he said, adding that the number of people allowed in these pools would also be based on its capacity.
Ismail also said pool operators must register the reopening of their pools with the International Trade and Industry Ministry's website to enable the local authorities as well as the Youth and Sports Ministry to monitor if the SOPs are being followed.
Elsewhere, Ismail said the police have detained 97 people for breaching recovery MCO SOPs yesterday.
"From May 1 till yesterday, 977 illegal immigrants and 161 tekong (boat skippers) were arrested for trying to sneak into the country via rat trails," he added.
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