After moving to Phase 2 of NRP, three states no longer meet criteria

 

Three territories - Penang, Sarawak, and Pahang - have moved into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) but are no longer qualified based on criteria set by the government.

The government had outlined three criteria for territories to enter Phase 2 from Phase 1 including:

1. Attain a seven-day average of new Covid-19 cases below a threshold set according to each territory's population
2. Maintain "moderate" intensive care unit use
3. Achieve a full vaccination rate of above 10 percent

In the case of Penang, Sarawak, and Pahang, the three states do not have a seven-day average of new Covid-19 cases below the threshold.

New Covid-19 cases in all three areas have been trending up over the past seven days ending yesterday.

The steepest growth was seen in Penang, followed by Sarawak.

Growth in Pahang was negligible over the past week but the seven-day average has become 56 percent above the threshold.

According to Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, states that have entered Phase 2 will not regress to Phase 1 regardless of whether the states no longer fulfil the criteria.

Instead, the government will impose localised movement restrictions as opposed to state-wide limits.

Phase 2 of the NRP allows for more businesses to reopen.

- Mkini