PM unveils relaxed rules for people fully vaccinated against Covid-19

 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today unveiled several easing of restrictions for people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Some of the measures for the fully vaccinated are as follows:

For all states (regardless of phase under the National Recovery Plan):

1) Overseas travellers returning to Malaysia may quarantine at home. They must have a home in Malaysia.

2) Long-distance spouses may travel interstate/interdistrict to see each other

3) Parents may travel interstate/interdistrict to see their children aged under 18

4) Allowed to pray at places of worship subject to precautions

For states under Phase 2 and beyond under the National Recovery Plan:

1) Interdistrict travel allowed

2) Tourism within the same state allowed

3) Dine-in allowed

4) Outdoor exercise allowed (6am-10pm) with social distancing.

All states are under Phase 2 and beyond except for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Johor, Malacca, and Putrajaya.

Muhyiddin said the new rules will take effect on Aug 10 (Tuesday).

Details of the measures, he said, will be announced in the near future.

Muhyiddin said further easing for the economic sector will also be announced soon.

The fully vaccinated must show their digital vaccination certificate as proof if required, such as at roadblocks.

Fully vaccinated individuals are defined as someone who has received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccines for more than 14 days.

This includes the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines.

For single-dose vaccines such as Johnson & Johnson and CanSino, the wait time is 28 days after receiving the shot before someone is considered fully vaccinated.

Dining-in still risky

In announcing the measures, Muhyiddin also reminded the public that dining-in could carry a higher risk than other social activities, as masks would be removed while eating and chatting.

"Therefore, I would like to advise the people to only dine-in when necessary and not to spend too long.

"I would also like to suggest for the owners of food premises to set up more outdoor dining space for better ventilation," he said, citing a higher risk of infection in indoor settings.

He said fully vaccinated parents are also allowed to dine-in with their unvaccinated children aged 17 and below, with strict precautions.

Muhyiddin said permission to dine-in also includes restaurants or cafes in clubhouses.

However, changing rooms and bathrooms at clubhouses will remain closed to avoid any gathering.

He listed now permissible non-contact individual sports to include jogging, taichi, cycling, skateboarding, fishing, equestrian, archery, tennis (single), badminton (single), golf, and motorsports.

'Strict enforcement for permitted sectors'

At the same time, Muhyiddin said he instructed Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin, who is the Covid-19 SOP Enforcement and Compliance Coordinating Committee chairperson, to ensure strict surveillance by all related ministries and agencies.

"I would like to stress that all ministries and agencies in charge of monitoring the facilities, including premise owners, must be fully responsible for executing the permission granted to ensure compliance with existing rules and guidelines," said Muhyiddin.

"The government will not hesitate to withdraw the permission if it was found there has been a breach of guidelines and set procedures.

"If there were infections detected at premises granted these permissions, the Health Ministry, in particular, will take immediate necessary steps including to carry out a risk evaluation and with the potential of an immediate shutdown," said Muhyiddin.

He added that individuals also stand to be fined for any SOP breach identified.

Overall, Muhyiddin said the easing of restrictions was proof of the government's faith that fully vaccinated individuals are capable of rational risk assessment in facing the Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini