MCO 3.0 a harsh blow for certain sectors

 

There was a ‘positive response’ in terms of the number of patrons at the cinemas since March with the lifting of MCO 2.0.

PETALING JAYA: It’s back to the drawing board for several industries now that the third movement control order (MCO 3.0) has been announced for Kuala Lumpur and most of Selangor.

While nearly all economic sectors have been given the go-ahead to continue operating, social events and those which include large gatherings are off limits.

Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) branding manager Sharmine Ishak told FMT the industry was just beginning to recover before the latest MCO announcement put a dent in their plans.

“This is going to set us back again, but we have no choice. We have no say in this matter.

“We just hope there will be new SOPs which can allow us to operate,” he said.

Sharmine added that the cinema chain saw a “very positive response” in terms of the number of patrons when they reopened after MCO 2.0 in March, with today’s announcement on the MCO coming as a disappointment.

According to guidelines released by the National Security Council (MKN), among the events that are not allowed to be organised during the current MCO include official and informal government and private ceremonies, social events such as engagements, weddings, receptions, thanksgiving ceremonies, prayers and birthday celebrations.

Seminars, workshops, courses, talks and activities relating to the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions industry are also not permitted.

Activities at theme parks, indoor playgrounds, family karaokes and cinemas are also restricted during the MCO’s duration, which runs from May 6 to 17 in six districts in Selangor and May 7 to 20 in Kuala Lumpur.

While the list of SOPs for Kuala Lumpur has yet to be released by MKN, senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said they would be the same as the ones previously announced.

MCO 3.0 will also be a harsh blow for the wedding industry, with Leticia Hsu, president of the Association of Wedding Professionals, stating that the first lockdown already had the sector “shivering”.

“A lot of small players died off during MCO 2.0. Some closed or merged, and though the industry was recovering after it was allowed to resume again, the latest news is very disheartening,” she said.

With such announcements leaving couples scrambling to change their wedding plans, and wedding planners worried about their next paycheck, Hsu said the industry has engaged with government agencies to try and formulate better SOPs to allow such events to go on.

Citing data from the health ministry, Hsu said that only 1.75% of Covid-19 cases from Feb 22 to April 2 were linked to social events.

“Yet we’re the first ones to shut down,” she said.

“Everyone’s a bit tired, but what can we do?” - FMT