NRP Phase 1 rules relaxed for fully vaccinated, barbershops and hair salons to open

 

Eleven types of business activities in areas under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan will be allowed to resume operations on Aug 16 with two key conditions.

To qualify, the state or territory must have half its adult population fully vaccinated and the relaxed rules only apply to customers who are fully vaccinated.

This was announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today.

He said that in the case of the Klang Valley, the rate of full vaccination is at 64.7 percent and therefore qualifies for the relaxed rules.

The 11 types of businesses are:

1. Electrical and electronic shops
2. Household and kitchen supplies shops
3. Furniture shops
4. Sports shops
5. Car wash outlets
6. Car accessory shops
7. Car showrooms
8. Morning and farmers' markets
9. Clothing shops
10. Jewellery shops
11. Hair salons and barbershops

Patrons must abide by additional rules such as wearing gloves or observe time limits when visiting premises. Details of the rules have not been released at the time of writing.

Business owners are also compelled to inspect the digital vaccination certificate of patrons.

"The definition of full vaccination is 14 days after the second dose or 28 days after the injection of a single-dose type of vaccine," Muhyiddin said. 

Those in Phase 1 regions will also be allowed to perform outdoor exercises and visit neighbourhood parks.

Regions in Phase 1 of the NRP are Kedah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and Putrajaya.

Regions where the two-dose vaccination rate of the adult population is more than 50 percent are Labuan, Sarawak, Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis.

Meanwhile, another 11 types of business activities will be allowed to resume operations in Phase 2 regions. They are:

1. Photography shops
2. Used-goods shops
3. Flower shops and nurseries
4. Souvenir and craft shops
5. Antique shops
6. Toy shops
7. Carpet shops
8. Creative industry shops
9. Outdoor equipment shops
10. Cosmetic shops
11. Tobacco shops (including electronic cigarettes)

Those in the Phase 2 regions as of now are Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah.

Manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying will be permitted nationwide starting Aug 16 as well, with no cap on the number of workers on-site for firms with a workforce that is between 80 percent and 100 percent fully vaccinated.

An 80 percent workforce cap will be imposed on firms with a vaccination rate of between 60 percent and 79 percent.

Muhyiddin said he was aware that this decision will cause concern of Covid-19 risks among the public but he assured that the move was made with due care.

"After more than a year into this pandemic, a lot of employers have reduced their headcount. In this difficult situation, the government cannot allow this situation to continue," he added.

He urged employers to follow the rules and ensure the safety of their workplaces. He also called on employers to take full advantage of the government's wage subsidy schemes.

If there are errant employers, workers should report them to the Health Ministry or Home Ministry, Muhyiddin said. 

"The power is in your hands because employers who do not follow the rules can be fined or brought to court. 

"I have been informed that between July 26 and Aug 10, more than 900 premises have been closed for failing to abide by Covid-19 protocols.

"This is proof that the government is very strict. I thank the people and the employees who have filed complaints," he added. 

The premier hoped that his policy announcements today will bring some relief to workers and employers. - Mkini