International sports events allowed starting January, with Immigration approval

COVID-19 | The government has given the green-light to the hosting of international-level sports games in the country, and for local athletes to travel overseas for competitions.

However, the organising of such events and travelling abroad are still subject to approval from the Immigration Department, to Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced today.

Ismail said the decision was reached by the government today and it also ruled that athletes in countries deemed to be high risk in the Covid-19 pandemic will not be allowed to participate in games hosted in Malaysia.

"Organising an international-level championship is allowed, but subject to approval by the Immigration Department.

"High-risk countries will not be allowed (to participate), except with approval from the department.

"For example, we have a Badminton Open tournament. We can organise it, but countries that want to participate can only do so with approval from the Immigration Department," he told a press conference.

Ismail added that the decision on whether to allow Malaysian athletes to participate in games overseas is also in the hands of the department, as there are several countries that are deemed as high risk in the pandemic.

Besides international sporting events, the government is also allowing other types of local sports and recreational activities at locations under the recovery MCO, albeit with strict conditions.

Local sports championships can be organised with the numbers of supporters limited to only 10 percent of the venue's capacity, or a maximum of 4,000 people, whichever is lower.

This means that events at Bukit Jalil Stadium, which has a capacity for 8,000 spectators, can only accommodate a maximum of 4,000.

However, mass activities that involve more than 500 participants, such as cycling, marathon and triathlon, are still not allowed.

For areas that are still subjected to the conditional MCO, indoor and outdoor sports are allowed, but without the presence of supporters.

Reopening of tourism and cultural activities

Meanwhile, following Putrajaya's announcement that it would allow the reopening of certain activities under the tourism and cultural sectors, Ismail said they have decided today to green-light activities under four categories.

These are: Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE); tourism centres such as zoos, nature parks, recreational parks and aquariums; arts and culture exhibitions; and recreational activities at theme parks, family entertainment centres and indoor playgrounds.

This approval is effective from tomorrow, Dec 19.

Ismail said all the activities are still subjected to SOPs, including limiting participants to only 50 percent of the venue's capacity.

As for on-stage performances, these are allowed to reopen, but without any audience present.

 - Mkini