Two-hour limit for customers at retail premises

 

Customers will be allowed to spend a maximum of two hours at all retail premises including shopping complexes beginning May 25, says Domestic Trade and Customer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said this was among the standard operating procedures (SOP) updated for the trade sector including retail, wholesale and distribution following the announcement by Senior Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to tighten the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) 3.0.

Another updated SOP is the operation hours of the distributive trade sector which included all retail, wholesale, distribution premises as well as restaurants, from 8am to 8pm.

“For pharmacy and personal care outlets, the hours remain from 8am to 10pm except for activities which are not allowed, such as spa and wellness, as well as manicure and pedicure services,” he said in a statement today.

Nanta said other improvements to be implemented is the rule to limit the total of customers inside retail premises including shopping complexes at one time, based on the space of business premises with the ruling of one person for every four square metres.

Employee limit at all retail, wholesale, distribution and shopping complexes, including management, operation and support staff is fixed at 60 percent, he added.

Retail premises listed under the Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (Hide) System still at a high-risk level after assessment by the Health Ministry, will be closed immediately for three days for sanitisation, he said.

“The improvement and additional restrictions will only be enforced beginning May 25 nationwide,” said Nanta who asked industry players under the distributive sector to ensure SOP compliance by staff and customers.

“Business premises owners must also always be proactive, alert and ensure SOP compliance constantly at the maximum level to ensure the safety of their respective premises and the public,” he added.

Nanta said the Domestic Trade and Customer Affairs Ministry will mobilise 2,262 enforcement officers nationwide to ensure compliance to the tightened SOP at all related premises.

“The ministry's enforcement officers will also intensify inspections on business premises including during weekends and holidays,” he added.

Domestic Trade and Customer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi

He stressed that the ministry, as one of the agencies empowered to enforce MCO under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), will not compromise in taking stringent actions including issuing compounds.

“The ministry will also not hesitate to propose to the National Security Council to immediately close any premises found not adhering to the tightened MCO SOP.”

Nanta said cooperation from all parties is very important to ensure Covid-19 transmission comes under control soon, while maintaining the country’s economic sustainability.

For further enquiries, industry players and members of the public can contact the Distributive Trade and Services Industry Secretariat at hotline 03- 8882 5881/ 5905 or email spip@kpdnhep.gov.my.

- Bernama