Recreational pond fishing still a no-no during conditional MCO - minister

CORONAVIRUS | Although the government has permitted recreational fishing during the conditional movement control order (MCO) period, commercial fishing ponds are still forbidden to operate.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was because the smaller sizes of such ponds make it difficult for social distancing.

When transitioning from the more stringent MCO rules to the conditional MCO on May 4, the government announced that recreational fishing would be permitted under certain conditions.

However, fishing from a boat or visiting pay-to-fish ponds are not allowed.

“As I have said, fishing is considered a recreational activity but any recreational activity that can lead to a gathering of people is not allowed. (Pay-to-fish) ponds are not big and many people usually gather around ponds which is under the forbidden list.

“If you go solo fishing at lakes or fields (sawah) should be okay,” the senior minister said during his daily press briefing at Putrajaya today. He was asked to comment on several arrests made at fishing ponds.

Raya SOP applies to all

Ismail was also questioned about VIPs allegedly breaching government-set standard operating procedures (SOPs) on interstate travel and visiting during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

He said the SOPs applied to all individuals regardless of status and the authorities would take action against anyone found to have violated regulations.

He stated that of the 266 compounds issued at police stations yesterday, 25 were related to Aidilfitri visit violations.

A further 268 police compounds were issued on the ground, with 257 at roadblocks.

This is on top of 136 individuals who were arrested for various conditional MCO infringements, of which 75 were remanded and 61 released on police bail.

Meanwhile, Ismail said 824 vehicles were made to turn around by police after attempting interstate travel to return to their hometowns without prior authorisation.

“The states which recorded the highest number of attempts (at interstate travel) were Selangor with 284 (vehicles), Kedah with 122, and Malacca with 113,” Ismail said earlier today.

Sanitising offices: Get MOH approval for chemicals

On the issue of sanitation operations, the minister urged private companies seeking to sanitise their office spaces to adhere to SOPs set by the Health Ministry.

“I understand many private companies want to sanitise their offices before reopening. Some use their own cleaners.

“They must adhere to the SOPs set by the Health Ministry, especially in terms of what chemicals to use as this must receive ministry approval.

“Companies can contact the nearest district health office for advice,” he said.

To date, 10,705 premises have been sanitised in operations conducted by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, since March 30.

This comprises 2,619 business centres, 3,876 government buildings, 1,579 housing areas including low-cost PPR flats, 2,282 public areas, and 349 market spaces. - Mkini