Caretaker Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced a further loosening of restrictions including dine-in at restaurants starting tomorrow, 20th August 2021. This comes after 50% of adults in Malaysia have completed their COVID-19 vaccination. As of yesterday, 11,743,096 individuals or 50.2% of total adults have already received two vaccine doses. The 50% adult vaccination rate was achieved ahead of its 31st August target.
Dine-in activities allowed
According to Muhyiddin’s Facebook post, dine-in is permitted for states under National Recovery Plan Phase 1 and beyond starting tomorrow. Restaurants and eateries are urged to provide more seating in outdoor areas for better air circulation.
As part of the SOP, operators must only allow individuals that have been fully vaccinated and this can be verified through the digital vaccine certificate in MySejahtera. Fully vaccinated parents are allowed to bring their children aged below 18 years old but they must adhere to strict SOP.
Non-contact sports and recreational activities allowed
Non-contact recreational and sporting activities are also permitted starting 20th August for states under NRP Phase 1 and beyond within the same district. The outdoor activities can be performed with sufficient physical distancing at outdoor spaces between 6.00am to 10.00pm.
Dine-in activities at restaurants and cafes at clubhouses are permitted under the same dine-in guidelines for restaurants. Premises must only allow customers who are fully vaccinated to enter.
Changing room and shower facilities at clubhouses are still not permitted at the moment. Some examples of non-contact sports include jogging, exercise, taichi, cycling, skateboarding, fishing, equestrian, archery, hiking, tennis (single), badminton (single), golf and motoring.
Picnic and camping activities are also allowed. Participation of children below 18 years old is allowed with strict adherence to the SOP.
More markets permitted
In addition to Pasar Pagi and Pasar Tani, Muhyiddin has also announced that Pasar Malam and Pasar Minggu are also permitted to reopen as well. The enforcement authorities at the markets must ensure that only individuals that have been fully vaccinated can enter the location.
Prior to this, Muhyiddin has announced the reopening of several economic sectors for Phase 1 and Phase 2 states starting 16 August. This includes car showrooms, barbers, furniture and clothing stores. Under the new SOP, businesses must only accept individuals that have been fully vaccinated.
At the moment, Phase 1 states include Kedah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor and Putrajaya. For individuals that have gotten a two-dose vaccine such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac, you are only considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose. For people who got a single-dose vaccine such as CanSino Bio or Johnson & Johnson, you will be counted as fully vaccinated 28 days after getting the shot.
[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]
