New SOPs: Stadiums and event halls allowed to fill again
The Pandemic Management Special Committee meeting today decided to allow a slew of new relaxations in the nation’s Covid-19 standard operating procedures, including allowing vaccinated spectators into sports stadiums.
Meanwhile, effective Oct 1, several states and territories will transition to the next phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
The Klang Valley (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya) will transition...
The Pandemic Management Special Committee meeting today decided to allow a slew of new relaxations in the nation’s Covid-19 standard operating procedures, including allowing vaccinated spectators into sports stadiums.
Meanwhile, effective Oct 1, several states and territories will transition to the next phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
The Klang Valley (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya) will transition from Phase 2 to Phase 3, Malacca from Phase 2 to Phase 3, and Kedah from Phase 1 to Phase 2.
Kedah would be the last state to transition out of Phase 1.
“Utmost appreciation and congratulations to the entire Malaysian Family, particularly state governments that worked hard to manage the pandemic in the respective states to meet the threshold values that have been set.
“The SOPs for states entering Phase 2, 3, and 4 are the same as before. Explanation of the latest SOPs will be updated by the National Security Council at its website,” said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Ismail Sabri (above) is the chairperson of the Pandemic Management Special Committee as well as the prime minister.
The list of states and territories according to their NRP phase would be as follows:
Phase 2: Kedah (Friday onwards), Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Johor, Sabah.
Phase 3: Kuala Lumpur (Friday onwards), Putrajaya (Friday onwards), Selangor (Friday onwards), Malacca (Friday onwards), Perlis, Pahang, Terengganu, Sarawak.
Phase 4: Negeri Sembilan, Labuan.
Each phase progressively allows more economic and social activities to resume, though some precautions such as mandatory masking will remain in place.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said spectators and supporters will be allowed to enter sports and recreational venues for Phase 2, 3, 4 states, but with conditions.
They must be fully vaccinated and masked throughout the match, and no eating and drinking are allowed in the stadium. Children below 18 would not be allowed to spectate at the venue.
A person is considered fully vaccinated once 14 days have passed after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (i.e. those from Pfizer, Sinovac, or AstraZeneca).
Full vaccination takes place 28 days after receiving a single-dose vaccine (i.e. those from CanSino Biologics).
Covid self-test for unvaccinated
Official events in the government and private sector - including opening ceremonies and workshops - are allowed in Phase 2 and 3 states at half the venue’s capacity, and full capacity in Phase 4 states.
The participants should be fully vaccinated.
“For individuals who have yet to be vaccinated, they need to undergo pre-event testing using a saliva-based self-test kit witnessed by the organiser before attending the event, or confirmed by a medical practitioner,” said Ismail Sabri.
The skills and industrial training sector will also be allowed to resume nationwide regardless of NRP status, including at vocational colleges as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes.
The SOPs will be the same as those imposed on the reopening of institutes of higher education on Oct 15.
On another matter, Ismail Sabri said the government views seriously some individuals who have ventured outside their homes despite being issued a home surveillance order (HSO) and who are required to quarantine at home.
“Stern action will be taken against individuals found guilty.
“Such irresponsible action poses a security risk to society and hampers the government’s efforts to tackle the pandemic,” he said.
A HSO is usually issued to Covid-19 patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
HSOs are also issued to close contacts of Covid-19 cases and fully vaccinated travellers who have been granted permission to quarantine at home instead of at a quarantine station.
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